FFenomena Toxic Friendship dalam Relasi Sosial sebagai Panggung Sandiwara di Kalangan Mahasiswa FISIP USU

Abstract

This research explores the phenomenon of Toxic friendship within the social relationships of students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FISIP USU). Friendships, ideally safe and supportive spaces, often become arenas filled with manipulation, competition, and inauthenticity. This study aims to understand how students construct and engage in peer relationships shaped by social pressure and behavioral performance. The research is framed by Erving Goffman's dramaturgy theory and Charles Horton Cooley's Looking Glass Self. These frameworks explain how individuals form their social identities through role-playing and perceived social evaluations. A qualitative method was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation. The findings reveal that Toxic friendships develop through symbolic and performative social relations, where students adjust their behavior to maintain a desired public image—even at the expense of psychological comfort and authenticity. This phenomenon highlights that student social interactions are not always genuine, but rather shaped through identity negotiation under subtle social pressures. Keywords: Toxic friendship, Social Relations, Students, Dramaturgy, Looking Glass Self