The sociologist Erving Goffman is credited with coining the term "framing theory" and laying its foundational concepts.
Framing theory, particularly as introduced by Goffman, explores how people understand and interpret events and situations based on their "frames" – the culturally determined definitions of reality they use to make sense of the world.
Erving Goffman and Frame Analysis
While the idea of how information is presented influencing perception existed before, Erving Goffman significantly formalized and popularized the concept with his work.
- Key Figure: Erving Goffman (Sociologist)
- Pivotal Work: His 1974 book, Frame Analysis: An Essay on the Organization of Experience.
- Core Contribution: Goffman is credited with coining the term "frame" in this context and elaborating on its meaning.
- Definition of a "Frame": According to Goffman, a frame refers to the culturally determined definitions of reality that allow people to make sense of objects and events. These frames shape how individuals perceive, interpret, and react to situations.
Essentially, framing theory suggests that the way information is presented, or "framed," can influence public perception and understanding, even if the underlying facts remain the same. Goffman's initial work focused more on how individuals apply frames to understand everyday social interactions, providing a crucial foundation for later applications in communication, psychology, and political science.
