Toward a Structural Theory of Action

Network Models of Social Structure, Perception and Action

1st Edition - July 28, 1982
Editor: Peter H. Rossi
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 8 8 2 7 - 7

Toward a Structural Theory of Action: Network Models of Social Structure, Perception, and Action centers on the concept of social structure, perceptions, and actions, as well as… Read more

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Toward a Structural Theory of Action: Network Models of Social Structure, Perception, and Action centers on the concept of social structure, perceptions, and actions, as well as the strategies through which these concepts guide empirical research. This book also proposes a model of status/role-sets as patterns of relationships defining positions in the social topology. This text consists of nine chapters separated into three parts. Chapter 1 introduces the goals and organization of the book. Chapters 2-4 provide analytical synopsis of available network models of social differentiation, and then use these models in describing actual stratification. Chapter 5 presents a model in which actor interests are captured. Subsequent chapter assesses the empirical adequacy of the two predictions described in this book. Then, other chapters provide a network model of constraint and its empirical adequacy. This book will be valuable to anthropologists, economists, political scientists, and psychologists.

Preface

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction

1.1 A Fundamental Schism in Action Theory

1.2 A Structural Theory of Action: Analytical Strategy and Overview

First Component: Social Structure

2 Network Structure: The Social Context

2.1 The Data Described by Models of Network Structure

2.2 Models in Six Modes of Network Analysis

2.3 The Ego-Network

2.4 The Network Position

2.5 The Network Clique

2.6 The Jointly Occupied Network Position

2.7 Network Density and Transitivity

2.8 The Social Structure of Network Stratification

2.9 Hypothesis Testing

2.10 Conclusions

3 Stratification in Elite Sociological Methodology

3.1 Elite Experts in Sociological Methodology

3.2 The Form of Stratification

3.3 The Content of Stratification

3.4 Conclusions

4 Stratification in American Manufacturing

4.1 Basic Evidence on Directorates as Cooptive Devices

4.2 Economic Sectors as the Social Context for Directorates

4.3 Directorate Ties between Establishments

4.4 Directorate Ties as Cooptive Relations

4.5 Analyzing Cooptive Directorate Ties in American Manufacturing

4.6 Range

4.7 Multiplexity

4.8 Conclusions

Second Component: Actor Interest

5 Interest: The Perception of Utility

5.1 Actor Interest as a Structural Concept

5.2 Numerical Illustration

5.3 Social Norms

5.4 Relative Deprivation

5.5 Innovation Adoption

5.6 Conclusions

6 Conformity and Deviance with Respect to Journal Norms in Elite Sociological Methodology

6.1 The Substantive Problem Posed by Scientist Interest in Journals

6.2 Journal Norms in an Invisible College

6.3 Expert Interest in Core Sociological Methodology Journals

6.4 Expert Interest Conforming to Journal Norms

6.5 Deviant Expert Interest

6.6 Conclusions

Third Component: Action

7 Autonomy and Cooptation

7.1 Autonomy as a Structural Concept

7.2 Cooptation

7.3 Numerical Illustration

7.4 Conclusions

8 Market Constraints and Directorate Ties with Respect to American Manufacturing Industries

8.1 The Substantive Problem Posed by Cooptive Directorate Ties

8.2 Market Constraints on Corporate Profits

8.3 Cooptive Directorate Ties

8.4 Successful Cooptation

8.5 Conclusions

9 Toward a Structural Theory of Action

9.1 Atomistic, Structural, and Normative Approaches to Action

9.2 Social Structure and the Division of Labor

9.3 Comparing Atomistic Action with Structural Action

9.4 Comparing Normative Action with Structural Action

9.5 Concluding Comments

References

Subject Index