The ability to mentally project oneself into a position where one can imagine how another or others will react to one's behavior. The other can be either a particular or a generalized other. In this era, phenomena are understood in terms of the actions of supernatural agencies such as spirits, demons, or gods. Applied to the development of society as a whole and to the development of each particular science. Occurs when the ends and means of social action are fixed by custom and tradition.
Action is so habitual that it is taken for granted.
Occurs when individuals use effective means to achieve goals that are set by their values. The costs of paying the wages of the work force. Return to the Development of Sociological Theory Page.