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The Emergence and Stabilization of Stratification in Simple and Complex Social Systems
Author(s) -
Kimberly James C.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
sociological inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.446
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1475-682X
pISSN - 0038-0245
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1970.tb01003.x
Subject(s) - social stratification , stratification (seeds) , epistemology , consistency (knowledge bases) , sociology , social system , positive economics , relevance (law) , simple (philosophy) , complex system , mechanism (biology) , work (physics) , stability (learning theory) , mathematical economics , economics , computer science , social science , law , political science , philosophy , artificial intelligence , botany , mechanical engineering , seed dormancy , germination , dormancy , machine learning , biology , engineering
Work on the emergence and stabilization of stratification in small groups is reviewed. The work on emergence points to three basic conditions underlying the development of stratification in small groups and raises the question as to what mechanism substitutes for some of these conditions in larger systems. Several theories are shown to offer possible solutions. The work on stabilization raises questions as to the nature of the social‐psychological processes involved. The relevance of various reinforcement and cognitive consistency theories is considered. Finally, a number of theories concerning the ways stability may be achieved in small groups and larger systems are considered.