title: The Sincerity Game: An Exploratory Study of Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical Framework in Relation to Interaction and Identity Construction Online

authors: Baker, Amy Leanna

subjects: Erving Goffman, Identity, Presentation of Self Online, Artifact Affordances, Dramaturgical Framework, Symbolic Interactionism, Postmodernism, Sincerity, Self Construction, Online Self, Facebook, Social Networks, Mediated Interaction, Affordance Theory, Anthony Giddens, Actor Network Theory, Dramaturgy

abstract: Self-construction is an intrinsically interactionist process (Leary & Tananey, 2005). The formation and maintenance of identity is socially reliant. Understanding the ways in which interaction changes is therefore vital for recognising how the individual maintains an identity. Contemporary forms of online interaction via social media are, therefore, inescapably implicated in these larger processes.

Interactionist theory and Goffman’s (1959) dramaturgical framework are grounded in the observations of face-to-face social situations. Identity construction scholarship since the introduction of technologically mediated interaction has yielded contradictory and incohesive results. Online interaction specifically has received special attention from an identity construction point of view. Implicated theories in such studies include variations of symbolic interactionism, romantic conceptions of self, idealisation, and postmodernism.

Deductive reasoning through the tested application of a single identity construction theory has typically left alternative interaction theories unexplored. Online interaction has normally been considered “special, because it is technological mediated interaction” (Pinch, 2010, p. 412).And the unique treatment of online interaction has resulted in the general dismissal of Goffman’s interactionist perspective.

This project attempted to re-evaluate the applicability of Goffman’s framework to online interaction. Inductive reasoning allowed alternative identity construction theories to arise naturally from in-depth interviews. Ten in-depth interviews and two case studies were conducted with users of the website Facebook. Participants were asked to discuss the ways in which they used the website to interact, and why. Coding and analysis followed by a constantly comparative approach allowed theory to develop naturally from the interview material.

Goffman’s dramaturgical framework found considerable applicability in this project’s analysis of participants’ use of Facebook. The five components of the framework, the actor, the performance, the stage, the team, and the audience were each identifiable in participants’ articulation of their interaction on this social networking website. Limitations in applicability however, were found to be due to a lack of affordance recognition.

Prior studies, attempting to reanalyse Goffman’s dramaturgical framework online, have found his perspective inapplicable. This reconceptualisation of identity formation has resulted in theorists exploring concepts of postmodernism and romantic idealism instead. Such stark perspectives were not articulated by this project’s interviewees. Rather, the primary finding of this project was that interviewees sought sincerity. Neither a fluid and multiple, nor a static and grounded identity was identified in participants’ Facebook selves. Interviewees instead took an approach to the social networking website best explained by adapting Giddens (1991). 

This project found that interviewees created a self through a narrative. By creating a trajectory of self through Facebook’s timeline and “maintaining constants of demeanor across varying settings of interaction” (Giddens, 1991, p. 100) interviewees sought perceived sincerity in their singular, evolving identity. As Facebook affords just one self to be portrayed to multiple audiences, unlike Goffman, Giddens’ perspective provided a resolution to Facebook’s lack of audience segregation and performance maintenance issues.

text: The Sincerity Game: An Exploratory Study of Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical Framework in Relation to Interaction and Identity Construction Online Self-construction is an intrinsically interactionist process (Leary & Tananey, 2005). The formation and maintenance of identity is socially reliant. Understanding the ways in which interaction changes is therefore vital for recognising how the individual maintains an identity. Contemporary forms of online interaction via social media are, therefore, inescapably implicated in these larger processes.

Interactionist theory and Goffman’s (1959) dramaturgical framework are grounded in the observations of face-to-face social situations. Identity construction scholarship since the introduction of technologically mediated interaction has yielded contradictory and incohesive results. Online interaction specifically has received special attention from an identity construction point of view. Implicated theories in such studies include variations of symbolic interactionism, romantic conceptions of self, idealisation, and postmodernism.

Deductive reasoning through the tested application of a single identity construction theory has typically left alternative interaction theories unexplored. Online interaction has normally been considered “special, because it is technological mediated interaction” (Pinch, 2010, p. 412).And the unique treatment of online interaction has resulted in the general dismissal of Goffman’s interactionist perspective.

This project attempted to re-evaluate the applicability of Goffman’s framework to online interaction. Inductive reasoning allowed alternative identity construction theories to arise naturally from in-depth interviews. Ten in-depth interviews and two case studies were conducted with users of the website Facebook. Participants were asked to discuss the ways in which they used the website to interact, and why. Coding and analysis followed by a constantly comparative approach allowed theory to develop naturally from the interview material.

Goffman’s dramaturgical framework found considerable applicability in this project’s analysis of participants’ use of Facebook. The five components of the framework, the actor, the performance, the stage, the team, and the audience were each identifiable in participants’ articulation of their interaction on this social networking website. Limitations in applicability however, were found to be due to a lack of affordance recognition.

Prior studies, attempting to reanalyse Goffman’s dramaturgical framework online, have found his perspective inapplicable. This reconceptualisation of identity formation has resulted in theorists exploring concepts of postmodernism and romantic idealism instead. Such stark perspectives were not articulated by this project’s interviewees. Rather, the primary finding of this project was that interviewees sought sincerity. Neither a fluid and multiple, nor a static and grounded identity was identified in participants’ Facebook selves. Interviewees instead took an approach to the social networking website best explained by adapting Giddens (1991). 

This project found that interviewees created a self through a narrative. By creating a trajectory of self through Facebook’s timeline and “maintaining constants of demeanor across varying settings of interaction” (Giddens, 1991, p. 100) interviewees sought perceived sincerity in their singular, evolving identity. As Facebook affords just one self to be portrayed to multiple audiences, unlike Goffman, Giddens’ perspective provided a resolution to Facebook’s lack of audience segregation and performance maintenance issues.

year: 2012

title: Issues involved in the obtaining of public amenities grants, under "the 1% clause" from the New Zealand electricity department by the Huntly borough council from 1975-1977

authors: Witten, Frank L.

subjects: Huntly

abstract: Research in Huntly began in February 1975, and ended in December 1977. In February began the first approach by an association to obtain a grant from the New Zealand Electricity Department through the assistance of the Huntly Borough Council. In December 1977, my research ended after Mr. Gair, Minister of Electricity, had granted the Huntly Borough Council $1 million to be used on public amenities in the town and also granted the Raglan County Council, $460,000 for the establishment of a sporting and cultural complex in Huntly West.

text: Issues involved in the obtaining of public amenities grants, under "the 1% clause" from the New Zealand electricity department by the Huntly borough council from 1975-1977 Research in Huntly began in February 1975, and ended in December 1977. In February began the first approach by an association to obtain a grant from the New Zealand Electricity Department through the assistance of the Huntly Borough Council. In December 1977, my research ended after Mr. Gair, Minister of Electricity, had granted the Huntly Borough Council $1 million to be used on public amenities in the town and also granted the Raglan County Council, $460,000 for the establishment of a sporting and cultural complex in Huntly West.

year: 1978

title: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato

authors: Silveira, Maia

subjects: Traumatic brain injury

abstract: In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

text: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

year: 2022