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Sociology · Chapter 5

Inside the Total Institution

Most socialization adds to who you already are. Some settings are built to subtract first. Erving Goffman called them total institutions — prisons, barracks, monasteries, long-stay wards, nursing homes — places where sleeping, working, and playing all happen under one authority, and where a new self is issued along with the uniform. Step through what happens to a person inside, then test which settings actually qualify.

Outside the wall

The self that walked inintact · 100%
civilian roles in play 5 / 5
Tap any role to see what happens to it.
A total institutionpress Next to walk through it

Read this step through