Studying the Definition of the Situation: Theory and Field Research Strategies *

Plusieurs sociologues et psychologues sociaux estiment que le concept definition de la situation peut diffkilement se preter a une analyse empirique. Cette attitude a considerablement reduit le nombre des tentatives serieuses pour operationaliser le processus par lequel les hommes conferent des significations a l'ensemble des situations dans lesquelles ils agissent dans leur vie quotidienne. On construit ici plusieurs etapes dans le but de concretiser l'etude de la definition de la situation. On presente, en premier lieu, quelques ajoutes a la theorie de la definition de la situation, y compris quelques definitions operatoires et, en second lieu, quelques strategies possibles de la recherche empirique. Une experience de terrain est decrite dans le but de demontrer ces principes. Par apres, on souligne les implications qu'entraine cette theorie elargie sur une theorie sociologique de la motivation, ainsi que l'importance et la legitimite d'une conception moderne des predispositions a l'interieur de ce scheme conceptuel. Many sociologists and social psychologists believe that the concept of the definition of the situation is not amenable to empirical treatment. This belief has discouraged serious efforts to operationalize the process by which men give meaning to the multitude of settings in which they find themselves in everyday life. Several steps are taken toward the goal of making it possible to study the definition of the situation, first by presenting some additions to the theory of the definition of the situation, including certain operationalizations, and second by offering a number of field research strategies. A field experiment is presented as a means of demonstrating these principles. Implications of the expanded theory for a sociological theory of motivation follow, and the importance and legitimacy of a modern conception of predispositions within such an approach argued.