Social geometry
Encyclopedia
Social geometry is a theoretical strategy of sociological
explanation
, invented by sociologist Donald Black, which uses a multi-dimensional model to explain variations in the behavior of social life. In Black's own use and application of the idea, social geometry is an instance of Pure Sociology
.
(the extent of previously being the target of social control
). Black refers to this multi-dimensional amalgam as "social space
".
. For example, vertical space is reminiscent of Marxist
concerns, morphological of Émile Durkheim
, and cultural perhaps of Pierre Bourdieu
. However, several aspects of Black's approach differ from those previous theorists.
First, they emphasized a largely unidimensional model: Marx, for example, emphasized solely economic status (and derivatives of it, from base to superstructure) while Durkheim and Weber
de-emphasized economic differentiation.
Second, by including multiple dimensions, Black's model allows for consideration of each variable while holding others constant. That is, the theoretical propositions hold under a condition of ceteris paribus
, a probabilistic approach characteristic of science generally and contrary to the general cleavage of sociology between purported determinists
and those who are anti-scientific. (Later of Black's work, such as "The Elementary Forms of Social Control", utilize multiple dimensions in a different way - as simultaneous dimensions, to generate a typology of social settings and conflict management patterns.)
Further, the inclusion of these variables within the same model allows for the possibility of both interaction effects between variables as well as correlation between them, with any one variable being used to explain any other. Black himself uses each of the dimensions to explain variation in normative behavior, but relational or cultural behavior might also be jointly accountable by the other dimensions.
Most significantly, Black's Social Geometry entails an epistemological departure from reliance on individualistic explanations
, teleology
, and even individuals as such. That is, it is an instance of pure sociology
, and thus uses a different logic and language than any precursors from whose work Black's ideas may said to be extended or derived.
Black also cites examples - particularly in The Behavior of Law (1976) -- which indicate movement through social space, such as a society becoming more stratified, or the status (and collective liability) of an ethnic group changing over time.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
explanation
Explanation
An explanation is a set of statements constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequencesof those facts....
, invented by sociologist Donald Black, which uses a multi-dimensional model to explain variations in the behavior of social life. In Black's own use and application of the idea, social geometry is an instance of Pure Sociology
Pure sociology
Like rational choice theory, conflict theory, or functionalism, pure sociology is a sociological paradigm -- a strategy for explaining human behavior. Developed by Donald Black as an alternative to individualistic and social-psychological theories, pure sociology was initially used to explain...
.
Variables
While social geometry might entail other elements as well (or instead), Black's own explanation of the model includes five variable aspects: horizontal/morphological (the extent and frequency of interaction among participants), vertical (the unequal distribution of resources), corporate (the degree of organization, or of integration of individuals into organizations), cultural (the amount and frequency of symbolic expressions), and normativeNorm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
(the extent of previously being the target of social control
Social control
Social control refers generally to societal and political mechanisms or processes that regulate individual and group behavior, leading to conformity and compliance to the rules of a given society, state, or social group. Many mechanisms of social control are cross-cultural, if only in the control...
). Black refers to this multi-dimensional amalgam as "social space
Social space
A social space is physical or virtual space such as a social center, Facebook, or other gathering place where people gather and interact. Some social spaces such as town squares or parks are public places; others such as pubs, websites...
".
Precursors
Each element of Black's model is arguably an extension of part of something earlier in sociologySociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
. For example, vertical space is reminiscent of Marxist
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
concerns, morphological of Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim
David Émile Durkheim was a French sociologist. He formally established the academic discipline and, with Karl Marx and Max Weber, is commonly cited as the principal architect of modern social science and father of sociology.Much of Durkheim's work was concerned with how societies could maintain...
, and cultural perhaps of Pierre Bourdieu
Pierre Bourdieu
Pierre Bourdieu was a French sociologist, anthropologist, and philosopher.Starting from the role of economic capital for social positioning, Bourdieu pioneered investigative frameworks and terminologies such as cultural, social, and symbolic capital, and the concepts of habitus, field or location,...
. However, several aspects of Black's approach differ from those previous theorists.
First, they emphasized a largely unidimensional model: Marx, for example, emphasized solely economic status (and derivatives of it, from base to superstructure) while Durkheim and Weber
Alfred Weber
Alfred Weber was a German economist, sociologist and theoretician of culture whose work was influential in the development of modern economic geography.-Life:...
de-emphasized economic differentiation.
Second, by including multiple dimensions, Black's model allows for consideration of each variable while holding others constant. That is, the theoretical propositions hold under a condition of ceteris paribus
Ceteris paribus
or is a Latin phrase, literally translated as "with other things the same," or "all other things being equal or held constant." It is an example of an ablative absolute and is commonly rendered in English as "all other things being equal." A prediction, or a statement about causal or logical...
, a probabilistic approach characteristic of science generally and contrary to the general cleavage of sociology between purported determinists
Determinism
Determinism is the general philosophical thesis that states that for everything that happens there are conditions such that, given them, nothing else could happen. There are many versions of this thesis. Each of them rests upon various alleged connections, and interdependencies of things and...
and those who are anti-scientific. (Later of Black's work, such as "The Elementary Forms of Social Control", utilize multiple dimensions in a different way - as simultaneous dimensions, to generate a typology of social settings and conflict management patterns.)
Further, the inclusion of these variables within the same model allows for the possibility of both interaction effects between variables as well as correlation between them, with any one variable being used to explain any other. Black himself uses each of the dimensions to explain variation in normative behavior, but relational or cultural behavior might also be jointly accountable by the other dimensions.
Most significantly, Black's Social Geometry entails an epistemological departure from reliance on individualistic explanations
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, teleology
Teleology
A teleology is any philosophical account which holds that final causes exist in nature, meaning that design and purpose analogous to that found in human actions are inherent also in the rest of nature. The word comes from the Greek τέλος, telos; root: τελε-, "end, purpose...
, and even individuals as such. That is, it is an instance of pure sociology
Pure sociology
Like rational choice theory, conflict theory, or functionalism, pure sociology is a sociological paradigm -- a strategy for explaining human behavior. Developed by Donald Black as an alternative to individualistic and social-psychological theories, pure sociology was initially used to explain...
, and thus uses a different logic and language than any precursors from whose work Black's ideas may said to be extended or derived.
Measurements
The model allows for several different kinds of measurement along these dimensions. First, location: For example, any case (individual, group, etc.) can be located in vertical space by their wealth. Second, distance: For example, any two cases (individuals, organizations, etc.) can be measured according to their relative wealth. Third, direction: Law, for example, is more likely in a downward direction (from a wealthier case to a less wealthy one) than upward (the reverse).Black also cites examples - particularly in The Behavior of Law (1976) -- which indicate movement through social space, such as a society becoming more stratified, or the status (and collective liability) of an ethnic group changing over time.