Set 2: Inferences (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Sociologist Erving Goffman analyzed everyday interaction as performance, with individuals managing impressions like actors on a stage. Some critics find this metaphor cynical, suggesting people are merely manipulative performers. Goffman responded that impression management is not deception but a necessary social skill, the means by which we navigate shared reality.
What does Goffman's response suggest about social behavior?
Detailed Explanation
This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. 'Not deception but a necessary social skill' = performance has functional purpose beyond manipulation. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.
Key Evidence:
• "not deception but a necessary social skill"
• "navigate shared reality"
Why others are wrong: A (He denied it's 'deception.'), C (He developed the analysis.), D ('Impression management' = influencing perception.).