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Goffman's Concepts in Social Comparison

This document summarizes a student's responses to questions about Goffman's concepts of front stage, back stage, and impression management as well as the benefits and disadvantages of upward and downward social comparison. For the first question, the student provides an example of a top student who works hard in school and maintains a good impression (front stage), but relaxes her efforts at home (back stage). For the second question, the student lists advantages and disadvantages of upward social comparison such as boosting ego but having a low opinion of others, and downward social comparison such as reminding one to improve but potentially causing tensions.

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10 views2 pages

Goffman's Concepts in Social Comparison

This document summarizes a student's responses to questions about Goffman's concepts of front stage, back stage, and impression management as well as the benefits and disadvantages of upward and downward social comparison. For the first question, the student provides an example of a top student who works hard in school and maintains a good impression (front stage), but relaxes her efforts at home (back stage). For the second question, the student lists advantages and disadvantages of upward social comparison such as boosting ego but having a low opinion of others, and downward social comparison such as reminding one to improve but potentially causing tensions.

Uploaded by

Swag Soul
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name: Ronell Jeffrey B.

Pardo
Year and Section: 1st year BSTM M3-1
Time Schedule: 4: 15pm
GE 101: Understanding the Self
1. Indicate one (1) concrete experience that manifests Goffman’s concepts of the front
stage, back stage, and impression management. Explain why you have employed
dramaturgical strategy in that situation.

Ans: An example that illustrates Goffman’s concepts of the front stage, backstage,
and impression management would be a student of LNU who strives for success in
school. The front Stage defines the process by which a person establishes his or her
identity. Front-stage behavior is performed by social norms and expectations. For
example, A student of LNU is an outstanding achiever among her batchmates and
has the highest grade in her class. She is regarded by both students and faculty as
the top scholar in their school. She's a studious student who always wears her
uniform and attends class on time. She does well in all of her activities, so people
have a good impression of her.

Impression Management is the process by which people control how others perceive
them. This can be done through their actions. For example, she spends several
hours each night studying algebra and would benefit from good Impression
Management techniques to ensure that the teacher knows about their hard effort.

In backstage behavior, the individual is less concerned with being socially idealized
and more focused on expressing his or her real feelings. For example, when she
arrives home, she often does things that make her feel good. Examples of bad
habits include playing computer games, wearing an untidy outfit, and swearing a lot.

2. Cite some benefits and adverse effects of the upward and downward social
comparison to a person. For example, the positive side of the downward social
comparison is that it boosts a person’s ego because s/he knows that there are still
people who are worse off than him/her. Answer each item in few sentences only.

Types of Social Comparison Advantages Disadvantages


Theory
2.1. Upward social comparison If you want to assess He has a low
your skill in photo editing, opinion of others
start by practicing with because they can't
friends or colleagues. do things as well as
Once you have a good he can.
understanding of what
you are capable of,
compare yourself to
people whose work is
similar to yours—friends
or professionals
2.2. Downward social comparison My colleague’s situation He might negatively
reminds me to plan my impact his
work better so I don't end friendships,
up like them causing tensions
and breaking up
groups.

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