Using Goffman’s Frameworks to Explain Presence and Reality

This paper defines presence in terms of frames and involvement [1]. The value of this analysis of presence is demonstrated by applying it to several issues that have been raised about presence: residual awareness of nonmediation, imaginary presence, presence as categorical or continuum, and presence breaks. The paper goes on to explore the relationship between presence and reality. Goffman introduced frames to try to answer the question, “Under what circumstances do we think things real?” Under frame analysis there are three different conditions under which things are considered unreal, these are explained and related to the experience of presence. Frame analysis is used to show why virtual environments are not usually considered to be part of reality, although the virtual spaces of phone interaction are considered real. The analysis also yields practical suggestions for extending presence within virtual environments. Keywords--presence, frames, virtual environments, mobile phones, Goffman.