| dc.description.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 | en_US |
