Impression Management
Goffman, Erving. 1963. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. NY: Simon and Schuster.
Difference between virtual and actual identity.
If the discrepancy is known we speak of a discredited person.
This discrepancy might
be clearly apparent
be discovered by us
been revealed to us by the stigmatized
1. Control Social Information
2. Manipulating the Visibility
3. Personal Biography
4. Teamwork
5. Retreat Backstage
6. I would add Sub-culture or Semi-Permanent Backstage
Discrepancies between virtual and actual identity
a) will always occur
b) will always give raise to the need of
tension management in the case of the discredited
information control, in the case of the discreditable.
In this case, the person can engage in impression management to avoid the open recognition of her potentially stigmatizing property.
Disclosure of oneself implies a radical shift
from a discreditable person into a discredited one
from information management to the management of uneasy situations.
New methods available to life with the stigma.
Potential Critique: Goffman over stresses the play of a role and underestimates the internalization (playing roles "on auto pilot").
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