Final answer:
Erving Goffman would find George Constanza's pretending to be a marine biologist understandable as an example of impression management and dramaturgy, where individuals perform roles to match social expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Erving Goffman were watching Seinfeld, he would say that George Constanza's pretending to be a marine biologist is understandable because it exemplifies his theory of dramaturgy and impression management. In the dramaturgical approach, each social situation is viewed as a stage where individuals engage in strategic presentation of themselves to influence how they are perceived. George's act of pretending to be a marine biologist can be seen as him improvising his role to fit the social script of that particular scene, embodying different aspects of his personality to manage the impressions he makes on others.
Goffman's concept emphasizes that individuals adjust their behavior based on who is present, which George does by adopting a role that he believes suits the expectations of his audience. This theory views social life as a series of performances where we use props, costumes, tone, and behavior to convey a certain image, much like an actor in a play.
Therefore, from Goffman's perspective, George's behavior is a natural part of social interaction, where pretending and role-playing are tools used for effective communication within a society built on symbolic interactions.