Author: Erving Goffman
Synopsis
Goffman examines life inside mental hospitals and other 'total institutions' where large parts of everyday life are organized under a single authority. He focuses on institutional routines, identity, autonomy, and how residents adapt to organizational control.
Why It Matters to Sociology
The book became a landmark in the sociology of institutions and helped reshape discussions about institutionalization. Its concept of the total institution has been applied to prisons, military settings, residential facilities, and other highly regulated environments.