What does 'back stage self' entail in the dramaturgical framework?

In the dramaturgical framework, the concept of the 'back stage self' refers to an individual's behavior when they are not being observed by an audience. This is a space where a person can drop the societal roles and performances typically maintained in public (the 'front stage'). In essence, the back stage allows for authenticity, where individuals can express their true thoughts and feelings without the pressure of social expectations or the need to perform.

This separation between the front stage and back stage self highlights how individuals manage their identities based on social context. The ability to behave freely in the back stage is crucial for psychological well-being, providing a necessary contrast to the more constrained interactions that occur in public or formal settings.

Understanding this concept is essential in fields like sociology and psychology, as it illustrates the layers of identity and the influences of social situations on individual behavior.