Dramaturgical analysis views individuals as what?

Dramaturgical analysis, a concept introduced by sociologist Erving Goffman, utilizes the metaphor of theater to understand social interactions. This framework suggests that individuals actively engage in "performances" within various social contexts, akin to actors on a stage. They are continuously managing the impressions they project to others, using techniques such as tailoring their behaviors, emotions, and appearance to fit the expectations of different audiences.

The idea hinges on the notion that social life is a series of performances, where individuals play specific roles depending on the situation they find themselves in. This approach emphasizes agency and active participation rather than passivity in social settings. By focusing on how individuals present themselves and navigate their social worlds, dramaturgical analysis highlights the complexities and nuances of interpersonal relationships and the construction of identity in everyday life.

Other options reflect different perspectives that do not capture the active role individuals play in shaping their social interactions. For example, perceiving individuals as passive observers would overlook their involvement and active management of their social roles, while viewing them strictly as students learning social norms may neglect the dynamic nature of social interaction. Additionally, framing them as critics suggests a more analytical and detached stance, which conflicts with the performance-oriented viewpoint of dramaturgical analysis.