Goffman, Hall, and Marcuse on identity formation and social control

Identity Summary

Summary of Social Theory

Identify summary

Goffman

Identity formation is a composite of the presentation of self by the individual and the understanding of that presentation by others. In presenting the self the individual always runs the risk of engaging in a polarized action. Consequently, the mask is important to the individual. The true self is never presented and there is a dichotomy within the person. This dichotomy can be understood as a movement between sincerity and cynicism. The front stage is actually dominated by the back stage performance. Identity formation is then anchored in the actor's behavior and consequently the influence of the structure on the actor is limited. Inherently therefore this is a fair amount of contrivance and guile in the construction of roles and status positions.

Marcuse

While the concept of freedom is intimately linked to the understanding of being one's self, technological developments have whittled away at this inherent notion of personal freedom. The development of new and more subtle forms of control has in a covert manner removed the sense of personhood and replaced it with the construction of the whole. Traditional understanding of freedom in terms of political, economic and intellectual have limited applicability in the modern arrangement. The individual is constantly being shaped by external powers which are highly coercive and hence dangerous. Consequently, alienation becomes a progressive reality for the majority of the society. Ultimately, ideology and reality become subsumed into each other.