Critical Essay on Sacred Self by Erving Goffman

Introduction

Erving Goffman provides solid points about unconscious and conscious stimuli that one experiences when they enter the presence of another. He analyzes the importance of expression one acts out to build a particular impression. He uses the term; "calculating" to explain how they deliberately present themselves to others, along with how people create a veneer of consensus that holds interactions between one another. Goffman also describes how various social establishments are contributors of self "discreditation" that adds up to stigmatization (Goffman 3). He further explains how this characterization and assumptions that portray other people as lesser human beings hence leading to stigmatization (Goffman 3). He says that if an individual's identity is not respected, the individual's entitlement to social well being shall be unnoticed thus the victims will have low self-esteem.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Erving Goffman describes in detail the thought process running through groups of individuals when someone new is being introduced to a particular group. If this person does not meet the social expectations of the respective group, then that a person might suffer social neglecting which leads to stigmatization. It is an explanation of first impressions of people, and how they should not be used to judge an individual's character. Goffman explains that first impressions often are exaggerated and sometimes create false depictions of the person's real self. They feel that others need to be impressed, so they think they need to express themselves to fulfill these needs (Goffman 3).

Self-expression can determine an individual's identity in society. People change moves of their bodies, facial expression and intonation to fit a particular persona And Erving Goffman described it all from sociology. Goffman establishes how individuals can present themselves in different situations (6). Author's story of a public presentation on the beach shows us exactly how it works. It was the first appearance on the shore of vacationing Englishman. The character didn't look in anyone eyes but just looked around them or in between them. All his body and especially his eyes were telling that potential allies of his get-away were no worry to him at all. Thus expressing his attitude and makes it clear that he is not particularly interested in getting acquainted (Ichheiser 304).

Goffman's argument on expression and impression gives the necessary explanation of an individual's social status (16). He anchors that one is forced to draw and only rely on assumptions before any interaction takes place. Goffman agrees with Ichheiser's words by saying that the individual should act so he deliberately or unexpectedly conveys them in a way that he will inspire the others (302). The expression that one gives off is initially how accepting of that expression the other person is or essentially the impression that is made. The author means that a person typically will either approve or quickly deny that person in some way, verbally or nonverbally.

One crucial element is the fact that acceptance or denial of one all depends on the receiver's attitude and personality. This aspect seems to be a reasonable explanation of communication and how we as people either like or do not like some expression another gives off and whether or not we choose to answer back with an accepting-return expression. When meeting someone for the first time, one always wants to make the right impression, but we as people sometimes fall victim to expressing something that may not be genuine to get a positive reaction out of the receiver, such as during the first date with a potential significant other (Goffman 18).

The second key point Goffman discusses is something he calls calculating. He states that the individual will infrequently act in a way that will exclusively give the sort of impression to others that is probably going to bring out a particular reaction he/she is worried to get (Ichheiser 303). One may act this way unconsciously, several times a day. Goffman means an expression that is mainly shaped upon giving an impression based on one's particular group's customs or social class. A person in most cases will intentionally calculate what can be said or expressed without creating concern towards what their identities represent. These modes of exclusive expression are different among different types of people when they are shown in new environments; they may be acceptable or otherwise. Those individuals with the unacceptable characteristic concerning that environment may be socially rejected. They undergo psychological torture while trying to manage stress due to the discredited identity. Such people may end up in mental hospitals if they are not counseled appropriately (Goffman 41).

Depending on one's environment, something that Goffman calls a "veneer of consensus" may come into play. In different situations and among certain people, a veneer of consensus is what is hoped to be accomplished to hold two or more people together in a conversation or meeting. Goffman argues that, when communicating with certain types of people, each will express his/her real feelings on issues only to a degree to which everyone present can agree to some extent (38). This extent may be a borderline for conflict, but from the expresser's perspective, stays within reason for all who are present. Goffman explains that people base communication on keeping those involved comfortable and at ease with each other. Another term Goffman uses is called Safeguard. This is the protection that one uses through nonverbal and verbal action. It may be prevention before an embarrassment is present, or as Goffman puts it, 'corrective practices' that enable us to avoid an occurrence that could cause conflict in some way.

Conclusion

However, in his analysis, Goffman does not take several things into account. For instance, he does not report barriers that change our style of expression and impression such as age, race, language barriers, and attitudes of the other person or people involved. Some people, like the elderly, can change a person's expression and care of their impression based on stereotypical assumptions that older folks could care less about what young people have to say (Ichheiser 304). Another significant factor is the attitude that the expresser has or the attitude of the one the individual is attempting to impress. Some people do not care what another thinks of them, and they may say something offensive or may include a swear word within their first sentence with a person they just met, not concerned with receiving any response one way or the other. Many barriers can make it difficult to communicate if either party refuses to be open to the other. Goffman shows the importance of expression and impression when presenting oneself, and how calculating and safeguarding keeps the appearance appropriate (36). The veneer of consensus is explained to be what people use when involved in group conversation and dilemmas. Goffman's work enriches the society with information on how and why people play acting roles to keep harmony in the presence of others.

Work Cited

Goffman, Erving. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Print.

Ichheiser, Gustav. "Structure and Dynamics of Interpersonal Relations." American Sociological Review. 8.3 (1943): 302-305. Print.