Final answer:
Goffman's dramaturgical analysis, with its focus on roles, impression management, and social scripts, is a respected social theory that shapes our understanding of social interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erving Goffman's work, especially his concept of dramaturgical analysis, is considered an influential social theory. Goffman drew an analogy between theater and social interaction, suggesting that individuals perform roles in society akin to actors on a stage. In his seminal work, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Goffman proposes that we engage in impression management to shape how others perceive us, adjusting our performance based on the social context and audience.
His theory provides a framework for understanding how individuals navigate and give meaning to social interactions. It's important to recognize that while we cannot directly observe the intentions behind someone's role performance, we can analyze behavior to infer patterns and social scripts that guide interactions.