A methodological approach developed by Erving Goffman that examines how people understand and organize their experiences through interpretive frameworks or "frames."

Frame Analysis

Frame analysis is a systematic method for understanding how individuals and groups interpret and make sense of social reality through organizing principles called "frames." Developed by sociologist Erving Goffman in his 1974 work "Frame Analysis: An Essay on the Organization of Experience," this approach has become fundamental to studying social interaction and meaning-making.

Core Concepts

Primary Frameworks

Primary frameworks are the basic interpretive schemas that people use to classify and interpret phenomena:

Natural frameworks: Used to understand events as unguided and purely physical
Social frameworks: Used to understand events involving human agency and intent

Frame Operations

Several key processes modify and transform frames:

Keying: The transformation of an activity from one meaning to another
Fabrication: The intentional effort to manage activity so others develop false beliefs
Frame Breaking: When expected frames are disrupted or challenged

Applications

Media Studies

Frame analysis has been extensively applied to:

News Media coverage analysis
Political communication
Public Opinion Formation
Social movement messaging

Social Interaction

The approach helps understand:

How people navigate multiple social realities
Role Performance in different contexts
Management of Social Identity
Resolution of frame disputes

Methodological Considerations

Researchers employing frame analysis typically:

Identify dominant frames in discourse
Analyze frame alignment processes
Examine frame resonance with audiences
Study frame contests between different actors

Contemporary Relevance

Frame analysis remains vital for understanding:

Digital Communication dynamics
Social Movement strategies
Cultural Analysis methods
Cognitive Schemas in social understanding

Critiques and Limitations

Common criticisms include:

Difficulty in operationalizing frames
Potential researcher bias in frame identification
Questions about frame stability over time
Challenges in measuring frame effects

Impact and Legacy

Frame analysis has influenced multiple fields:

The methodology continues to evolve with new applications in digital media analysis, political communication, and social movement studies, demonstrating its enduring relevance for understanding how meaning is constructed and negotiated in social life.