We live in a society where identity is seen as a crucial part of the digital sphere. We now use social media as a way of showing our best features. For example, we post on Instagram stories about what kind of music we like and what activities we enjoy doing in our day-to-day lives. Our digital presence plays a significant role in shaping our identity. Through social media, online platforms, and digital interactions, we can curate and present different aspects of ourselves.
However, it is important to note that this curated identity may not always reflect our complete selves. One sociologist who argues that we perceive ourselves differently towards different people is Goffman(1959). Goffman argues that impression Management is a social construct where people consciously or subconsciously make themselves appear different around certain people to control the narrative of their character. This is also known as self preservation theory. An example of this, would be at a typical job interview as you would be more inclined to speak more formally around your employer compared to being around your friends where you would be more likely to use informal language. Goffman also pointed out the ‘front stage’ and ‘back stage’ theory where the back stage is how we act when we believe that no one is watching in contrast to the ‘front stage’ where we are self aware of that we are being seen by our peers which then makes us put on a certain image we feel we have to portray.
So how is this connected to the aspects of modern-day social media? Well in today’s society, social media has allowed us to create this ‘highlight reel’ of our lives only showcasing the very best of what life has to offer. This means that people can control their narratives much more easily than before. An example of this would be Raymond Olorunwa Abbas more commonly known as ‘Hushpuppi’ on social media. Hushpuppi gave the impression to his 2.8 million followers on Instagram that he was living a luxurious life in Dubai with expensive outings to restaurants as well as the rarest exotic cars. He was able to control his narrative by posting on social media trying to motivate his fans by giving the illusion that if they worked as hard as him they would be able to reach the pinnacle of success just like he did. However, all of this was merely a facade as Hushpuppi was arrested in 2020 over charges of money laundering and forced to pay 1.7 million dollars in restitution fees. He was found guilty on these charges and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
In conclusion, it feels as if we are in a sense forced by society to give people a different impression of who we are to further benefit ourselves i.e. The job interview example as you may have to act more professionally in certain circumstances than you usually are. However, the social media aspect of this can play a dangerous role as in the example of ‘Hushpuppi’ as he was able to control his narrative to the point where he could commit crime and make people believe that his success was achieved through hard work and determination.
References.
Goffman, E. (1959). The moral career of the mental patient. Psychiatry, 22(2), 123-142.
I quite liked your example of interviews and how you highlighted that in day to day situations like these we are more inclined to alter and modify our identities in relation to the social context we are in. I think you have made good use of Goffman’s theory in explaining the functions of what it means to be backstage and front stage.