The structure of action and interaction: The structural similarity of systems in social science

The term structure is one of the most common words in the vocabulary of the social sciences. Yet, even a cursory glance at the literature reveals that a clear conception of what it means and does, is quite generally lacking. In this contribution we try and develop just such a conception, and show that, and how, it is essential to understanding the mechanics and dynamics of social systems at any level of inquiry. In particular, it will appear that both individuals and social groups of any kind or size represent nonlinear dynamical systems, something which is not without important consequences for behavioral or sociological research. Moreover, the structure of these several systems turns out to have precisely the same form. As a consequence, too, the common distinction between micro‐ and macrosociology loses much of its dogmatic or theoretical meaning.

Key words:

• Structure
• individual behavior
• social interaction
• chaos
• social theory
• dynamical systems