Erving Goffman

Erving Goffman

Erving Goffman developed a theory known as the face theory where an individual has a positive and negative face. 

-       Positive face – associated with the feelings of being valued and appreciated 

-       Negative face – associated with the feelings of not being imposed upon and independence

During any encounter or conversation between two individuals, the two individuals involved will have a certain face and will perform actions in order to maintain and not threaten the other individuals face. For example when at a bus stop with an elderly lady an individual may have to be involved in small talk and to not threaten the face of the elderly lady this individual although not willingly will participate in the small talk. However in a casual talk with friends the individuals involved will not be as considerate towars the other faces as they are less bothered about threating their positive face and are more inclined to be insulting as they are with a group of friends.