Erving Goffman Quotes

A collection of quotes by Erving Goffman.

Erving Goffman (1922-1982) was a Canadian-American sociologist and writer who made significant contributions to the field of symbolic interactionism. He was born in Mannville, Alberta, Canada, and later became a naturalized American citizen. Goffman completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba before pursuing a graduate degree in sociology at the University of Chicago.

Goffman is widely known for his pioneering work on the nature of social interaction, self-presentation, and the dramaturgical analysis of everyday life. In his seminal book, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" (1959), he introduced the concept of "impression management," which suggests that individuals actively shape their behavior and appearance to influence how others perceive them.

Throughout his career, Goffman published several influential works, including "Asylums" (1961), where he examined the functioning of mental institutions, and "Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity" (1963), addressing the experiences of individuals living with stigma.

Goffman held academic positions at various institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania. He received numerous honors for his contributions to sociology, and his work continues to be widely studied and cited today. Erving Goffman's work remains highly influential in the field, as his ideas on social interaction and self-presentation provide valuable insights into human behavior and social dynamics.