Abstract

The past two decades has seen dramatic progress in the growth of theory in the sociological study of group processes. This progress has been manifested by the emergence of major theoretical research programmes in the study of exchange processes and network structures; bargaining and conflict; status characteristics and status organizing processes; justice and equity; affect and control processes; social interaction; and legitimation processes. This book documents, describes and analyzes the structure of these programmes and their growth and includes 10 papers that present major theoretical research programmes. The analysis shows both the common elements in the growth of the programmes and the special features of each. An introduction considers the general problem of theory growth in sociology and gives a general overview of the 10 research programmes. The book concludes with two papers that deal with the application and integration of theory.