In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck delve into the sociological concept of impression management, also known as self-presentation or perception management. They explore how individuals present themselves in various social situations, drawing on the work of sociologist Erving Goffman and his dramaturgical theory, which posits that people are always performing on a "stage" with front stage and backstage selves. The discussion covers the nuances of face work, the importance of avoiding embarrassment, and the conscious and unconscious motivations behind impression management. They also touch on neurodiversity, social stigmas, and the complexities of authenticity in self-presentation, as well as listener mail related to a previous episode on popcorn.
