Final answer:
Goffman distinguished between 'front stage' and 'back stage' behavior in his theory of dramaturgical analysis, which likens social interaction to theater where individuals perform roles using impression management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erving Goffman, a sociologist, distinguished between two types of interaction which are integral to his dramaturgical analysis. In his seminal work, 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life', Goffman likened social interaction to theater, proposing that individuals perform a variety of roles in their daily lives, using impression management to craft how they are perceived by others. He elaborated on these interactions by dividing them into two major types: 'front stage' behavior, where individuals perform and engage in behaviors while in the social spotlight; and 'back stage' behavior, where individuals can relax and be themselves away from public scrutiny. This dramaturgical approach suggests that each social situation is akin to a new scene wherein individuals must act correspondingly.
Goffman's analysis is based on the idea that in social interactions, much like actors on a stage, people follow cultural scripts, but sometimes need to improvise when uncertain about the roles they should play. This constant role negotiation and performance draw from cultural symbols and norms, and individuals must be adept at switching roles and managing their impressions in various social contexts.
Influenced by Charles Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self, Goffman's ideas further assert that individuals create an image of themselves based on how they think they appear to others. These ideas form the cornerstone of Goffman's dramaturgical approach, where every social interaction provides a stage for individuals to act out their roles in the grand theater of everyday life.