Final answer:
Erving Goffman is considered one of the most influential sociologists due to his dramaturgical analysis technique, interpreting social interactions like theater performances. His work on impression management and the roles people play contributes significantly to modern sociological theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the last few decades of the twentieth century, Goffman became one of the most influential sociologists of his generation. Erving Goffman's work, particularly his technique known as dramaturgical analysis, revolutionized the way sociologists understand social interaction. By drawing parallels between theater and everyday life, Goffman explored how individuals present themselves in various situations, engaging in what he called impression management. His observations about how people behave like actors on a stage, adjusting their roles based on the social context, have had a lasting impact on sociological theory and research.
Goffman's seminal book, 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life,' published in 1958, provides a detailed account of his theories. He explained how, amid uncertainty over the roles we play, improvisation becomes necessary. This insight illuminated the complexities of social behavior and the importance of symbolic interaction within society.
Sociological Theory Today acknowledges that while approaches such as structural-functionalism once dominated the field, Goffman's and others' contributions were instrumental in developing new methods to study the rapidly changing social landscapes during the later part of the twentieth century. Thus, Goffman's work remains vital for understanding social dynamics in both grand and mundane aspects of life.