According to Goffman, which of the following do prison authorities accomplish by depriving convicts of their personal clothes and accessories?
A) Mortification of the self
B) Dominance of the "I" over the "me"
C) Socialization
D) Liberation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Goffman argued that depriving convicts of their personal clothes and accessories was a form of mortification of the self, stripping them of their individuality and reducing them to a standardized, uniform appearance. This is part of the overall process of deindividuation that occurs in total institutions like prisons, where inmates are subjected to intensive socialization processes and forced to conform to a rigid set of rules and norms. The goal is to break down their sense of self and rebuild it in accordance with the demands of the institution, which reinforces its power and control over them. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

According to Goffman, Which of the Following Do Prison Authorities