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Routinization of behavior in a charismatic leader
Author(s) -
ANDELSON JONATHAN G.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
american ethnologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.875
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1548-1425
pISSN - 0094-0496
DOI - 10.1525/ae.1980.7.4.02a00070
Subject(s) - charisma , charismatic authority , sociology , creativity , epistemology , social psychology , philosophy , psychology , theology
Processual studies in anthropology can benefit from a consideration of Max Weber's theory of charisma. Two charismatic leaders in the sectarian and formerly communal Amana Society of Iowa have always been regarded by members as possessing different degrees of charisma. A statistical analysis of the inspired revelations of the two leaders reveals that the testimonies of one were highly patterned. The patterning is indicative of the “routinization of charisma” process described by Weber and is accounted for by the historical particulars of the case. Loss of creativity is identified as one factor in the routinization process. [processual analysis, change, communitarian societies, charismatic leadership]