Forms of activity and interpersonal relations in sociology can be described as follows: first and most basic are animal-like behaviors, i.e. various physical movements of the body. Then there are actions - movements with a meaning and purpose. Then there are social behaviors, which are addressed towards other people, and social actions, which further require a response from another person. Next are social contacts, a pair of social actions, which form the beginning of social interactions. Social interactions in turn form the basis of social relations. This division is illustrated by the table below:
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Physical movement |
Meaning |
Directed towards others |
Await response |
Unique/rare interaction |
Interactions |
Accidental, not planned, but repeated interaction |
Regular interactions |
Interactions described by law, custom or tradition |
A scheme of social interactions |
| Behavior |
Yes |
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| Action |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Social behavior |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Social action |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Social contact |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Social interaction |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Repeated interaction |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Regular interaction |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Regulated interaction |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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| Social relation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
See also
References
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