Final answer:
Goffman was interested in the gap between a person's virtual social identity and how they actually present themselves to others in different situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Goffman was interested in the gap between what a person ought to be - virtual social identity and how they actually present themselves to others or their role performance in different situations. Sociologist Erving Goffman developed the concept of dramaturgy, likening social interaction to a theatrical performance where individuals use 'impression management' to shape how they are perceived by others. Goffman emphasized the importance of understanding how people's interactions are influenced by their ability to adapt and perform different roles depending on the social context.