Link one (pregnancy): http://failbook.failblog.org/tag/exaggeration/
Link two (negative idealization,
old man): http://www.lamebook.com/grandpa-troll/gramps/
What
I found most interesting from the reading this week was the exploration of idealization.
This concept of idealization suggested that the self is in fact an abstract
performance-exaggerated or underrepresented depending on the audience and the
‘stage’ or situation. Link 1 is a Facebook status in which the individual
exaggerates pregnancy as the only time when putting on weight is positive (she
is then proved wrong publicly, producing cracks in her performance). The
exaggeration here is obviously intended to express the happiness at both
pregnancy and all that it entails. The concept of the pregnant self is then
seen to be abstract as it is not necessarily based in reality but in a set of
generally accepted social ideals concerning a ‘positive’ pregnancy. The
examples offered in the comments may have been ignored intentionally to allow
the poster to exaggerate their condition or unintentionally, suggesting that it
has become inherent within us to exaggerate all our performances.
Goffman
also explores the concept of negative idealization. I propose that this comes
in two forms: for modesty or personal gain. The former, described by Goffman as
“systematic modesty” (1971, p47), may be based on what Smith describes as a
“fellow-feeling” (1812, p3) for those around us. In the reading, Goffman gives
the example of a girlfriend playing down her intelligence to build up the
confidence of her boyfriend. Here abilities are underplayed due to a sentiment
for those around us. The latter example of negative modesty can be seen in link
two. Here we see an elderly man downplaying his physical capabilities to take
advantage of others-that is, for personal gain. In all three of these instances the self is seen as an
abstracted concept that can be manipulated to suit the
situation, similar to the situationally based nature of deference and demeanor seen in
last weeks reading.
References:
Goffman, Erving. 1971.
“Performances.” Pp. 28-82 in The
Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
Goffman, Erving. 1967. “The
Nature of Deference and Demeanor.” Pp. 47-96 in Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behavior. New York:
Pantheon Books.
Smith, A 1812, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Strahan
and Preston, London, accessed 24/08/12, Google Scholar: http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=d-UUAAAAQAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP18&dq=adam+smith+the+theory+of+moral+sentiments&ots=mjeJHDTJif&sig=_TsDVq-TZzqEnE66pB7YK9RqPNM#v=onepage&q=adam%20smith%20the%20theory%20of%20moral%20sentiments&f=false
I was also struck by Goffman's comments regarding idealization, particulary when he explained systematic modesty. The girlfriend example that he used really resonated with me because I realized that I do this when I am around some of my guy friends, although I am not sure that I do it for modesty reasons. Many of these friends have not gone to college, and when I start discussing interesting points from my classes, they often have to tell me to stop and use words that "aren't so big." I usually laugh it off, but then I find myself either using less academic terminology, or I stop speaking about my classes entirely because I am very aware that my knowledge might intimidate these guys.
ReplyDeleteAt an early age, I was taught that women are not to appear smarter than men, which is the reason why I change how I talk when I am with a few friends. In this sense, it might appear that I am being modest but in reality, I am perpetuating patriarchy. In another subject of mine, we are currently discussing the dynamics of power relations and patriarchy within social systems, which helps me understand some of the hierarchy between social interactions that Goffman discussed in his two readings that you mentioned. I find both of these subjects interesting because they are making me question actions that seem "natural" in social interactions.
I at first thought that the example might be outdated but then I realised that you do see it in society still, such as in your own case. I'm curious though, do you find you do it around your female friends that haven't made the same educational achievements as you? Or around male friends that have attended college/uni? I find that I'll do the same thing but in a context where I don't want to sound "up myself" (for lack of a better word) around people that don't have the same level of education. But then in other contexts-for example, around people I want to impress-I'll talk more freely about what I've achieved. I guess that's what Goffman was saying about the performance being abstract-it's contextual in a lot of cases. Sorry to blab, your comment just really got me thinking-thankyou :)
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