The Virtual Self and Possible Immersive Consequences of Uncharacteristic Self-Presentation in the Virtual Environment

The “Self-Matrix”

In order to properly define the place of the virtual self within the wider field of the self-concept, I found it necessary to combine several different theories of the self into a “self-matrix”. As a preliminary, I use Goffman’s (1956) self-presentation approach, selectively marking out the dualistic understanding of self, divided into “real” and “social” selves. The real self is supposed to be that which cannot be seen by others, “since no one is in quite as good an observational position to see through the act as the person who puts it on” (p.10). The social self is the product of performance or presentation in everyday life; it is an inseparable part of the social environment. It is likely that the two could never be similar to each other yet, despite the fact that many different social roles can be played, there is usually a nominal distance between them. Our properties or aspects of self are sufficiently connected to protect self-presentation from dramatic modification.