Toward a Unified Theory of Human Behavior

This book stems from the proceedings of four interdisciplinary conferences which were held in Chicago by a group of 19 scholars between 1951 and 1956. The book is organized around 22 papers which were presented by various members of the group. The book includes selections from the transcripts of the group's discussions of these papers, plus brief editorial notes that evaluate the main points of each session. The book offers insights into the development of sociological models and into methods for linking the intra-personal with the inter-personal; the significance of the observer to what is observed; the connection between stability and change within systems; and boundaries between systems. The analyses are characterized by sophistication and erudition, and they contribute to our wider understanding of man's behavior.