Table Of ContentFriendship
as a
Social
Institution
Friendship
as a
Social
Institution
George J. McCall,
Michal M. McCall,
Norman K. Denzin,
Gerald D. Suttles,
and Suzanne B. Kurth
|J Routledge
jjj^^ Taylor & Francis Group
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First published 1970 by Transaction Publishers
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Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2010024458
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Friendship as a social institution / George J. McCall ... [et al.].
p. cm.
Originally published under title: Social relationships, Chicago : Aldine Pub.
Co., [1970].
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-202-36355-4 (alk. paper)
1. Interpersonal relations. I. McCall, George J.
HM132.S57 2010
302.3'4--dc22
2010024458
ISBN 13: 978-0-202-36355-4 (pbk)
Contents
PREFACE vii
1 The Social Organization
of Relationships, George J. McCall 3
Organizational Components of Relationships
Organizational Dynamics of Relationships
Organizational Change in Relationships
Conclusions
2 Boundary Rules in Relationships
and Encounters, Michal M. McCall 35
Boundary Rules and the Focus
Threats to the Boundary Rules—Alienation and Change
Conclusions
3 Rules of Conduct and the Study
of Deviant Behavior: Some Notes
on the Social Relationship, Norman K. Denzin 62
The Nature of Social Relationships
Relational Morality and Propriety
Perceptions of Relational Impropriety
Relational Morality and the Broader Social Order
4 Friendship as a Social Institution, Gerald D. Suttles 95
The Cultural and Situational Elements of Friendship
Self Exposure and Institutional Restrictions on Friendship
The Private Culture of Friendship
Conclusion
5 Friendships and Friendly Relations, Suzanne B. Kurth 136
Desirability of Friendly Relations
Friendly Relations in Contrast with Friendships
Factors Affecting Bases of Association
Organizational Constraints on Association
Processes of Friendship Formation and Development
Friendship Development and Maintenance
Character of Negotiation Within a Stable Relationship
Summary and Conclusions
6 A Collaborative Overview
of Social Relationships, George J. McCall et al. 171
The Nature of Social Relationships
Organizational Dynamics
Organizational Change
Interorganizational Relations
Functions and Dysfunctions for Individual and Society
Problems of Research
BIBLIOGRAPHY 183
ANALYTICAL INDEX 191
Preface
The analysis of social relationships is among the many neglected
problems in modern sociology. Although the special importance
of dyadic relationships between individuals was remarked on by
the pioneer figures in sociology, and although social relationships
are a numerous and widely prevalent species of social organiza
tion, they have generally received short shrift since at least the be
ginning of World War II. The reign of macrosociologists has
contributed to this neglect, of course, and sociologists interested
in interpersonal phenomena have been more interested in small
groups and interactive encounters than in social relationships.
What dyadic analyses we have had in modern times tend to focus
on role relationships rather than social relationships.
Nevertheless, there remains an interest in social relationships
as proved by an occasional article and recurrent sessions at pro
fessional meetings, as well as by the layman's personal concern
with his own 'relationships."
Papers of generalizing theoretical import on social relationships
are particularly uncommon. Consequently, when I chanced to
encounter the five essays that constitute the core of this volume
and discovered the unusually clear theoretical links among them,
I felt they would profit from common publication.
vii
viii Freface
The independent preparation of these papers needs to be prop
erly emphasized. Although all five authors have been associated
with the Urbana campus of the University of Illinois during the
1960's, and although some of us had known each other, none of
us had discussed our respective ideas on social relationships with
another. The close theoretical affinities of these papers stems
entirely from our common exposure to the symbolic interactionist
tradition.
To explore the mutual relevance of our respective ideas, a
conference was held at the Chicago Circle campus. It was de
cided there that our five papers should be published in their
virtually original form to preserve this independence of thought
and that our collective discussion of social relationships be con
fined to a collaborative final chapter in an "overview." To guide
the reader toward this collective overview, brief editorial intro
ductions have been added to the essays to provide continuity,
tacitly explicating the rationale for the order of presentation.
G.J.M.
Contributors
George J. McCall is Professor of Sociology at the University of
Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus
Micha! M. McCall was formerly an Instructor of Sociology at the
University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus
Norman K. Denzin is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the
University of California, Berkeley
Gerald D. Suttles is Associate Professor of Sociology at the
University of Chicago
Suzanne B. Kurth is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the
University of Tennessee
ix
