In most social situations we might try to do good, look friendly, and be nice to others, we will try to adapt to the situation. But, there are some people who say that things like that are hypocritical, we don't need to wear "masks" in socializing. They say that we have to be ourselves, and show ourselves as we are in the world. They also argue that wearing a mask in socializing is also a tiring thing.
This statement is not something wrong, we really have to be ourselves. However, does that mean wearing a "mask" in social situations is wrong? I think that it really isn't wrong to use "masks" in social situations. Why? Because did you know that in psychology there is a concept that explains "social mask". or better known as "persona"
The word persona is taken from Latin, which means mask used by drama actors. Its function is also the same as its name which is as a "mask" that we use when we are in a social situation. Persona is what connects a person's personality with his environment, persona is a "mask" that is used to act in accordance with the demands of the social environment.
In a social environment we certainly have many demands for social roles, as husbands, as wives, as fathers, mothers, children, as students, as workers, how to play a role in the environment in which we play, basically our roles are many. Persona is a "mask" that is used to fulfill the demands of that role.
What is someone's persona like? starting from how to dress, how to speak, body movements, even the choice of vehicles, food, and so on. For example, maybe when we act as students, maybe our clothes are neat clothes, neatly combed hair, speak politely to the teacher, and so on. However, when we get out of the student role and are in our playmate environment, we will replace the "mask" again. Maybe when we are in the midst of our friends, our clothes are not so formal, ways of speaking that may not be so polite, and so on. In various social situations using persona means we will adjust our verbal and non-verbal language according to social demands.
So is it wrong when we use "mask"? of course not, because if we look based on the description above of course "masks" are needed to adapt to the environment. Persona is needed to make us accepted in the social environment, accepted in the outside world. Persona is similar to the superego, because persona is a social "mask" that is in accordance with the norms accepted by the social environment.
Even so, Persona is a mask that has a mirror behind it. So even though he uses a "mask", he can still see his "real face". That is, when we adjust to using the "social mask" called persona, we can still feel and know about our feelings. For example, we might meet new people who are not pleasant and we try to be friendly to them, try to smile and be kind. However, we still know that we really don't like the person.
Therefore, if it is said that using the "mask" is tiring, it is actually tiring. Adjusting and fulfilling social demands can sometimes be very tiring, especially when it's not right for us. We also need to let go of our personalities, we need to take off our "masks" regularly. When? of course when we are with those closest to us who want to accept us as we are, accept who we really are.
Personas are also not flawless, there are dangers that can be obtained from using "social" masks. The first is the danger if we are accustomed to just one persona, accustomed to "social masks," or in words that are easier to get used to with just one role.
Because you really like that role, we carry that role everywhere. To the place of work, to the place of study, to the house of a boyfriend, we basically play like that in various situations and in various places. Of course that will bring problems, because the role as one mask may not be suitable in a variety of situations, not necessarily acceptable in every social environment.
The second danger is that we are too accustomed to using "social masks", we are very afraid of other people's judgments about us. So you continue to use your personality and you become someone who always tries to adjust to others, to be conformist. People like this won't even know what they really want, what they want because they are too busy to meet the demands of others. They are people who are looking for safety in socializing.
My conclusion. Persona is something important, we use "social mask" is something that is needed. You use persona to promote your true personality. The danger is when we are too accustomed to our persona.
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