The main feature of this book is a discussion of 'role analysis' and its relevance to social structure. Arguing that the role system of a society is the matrix of its social structure, the author presents a detailed theoretical analysis of the problems inherent in this approach. Chapters cover: · The problems of role analysis. · Conformity and deviance · The coherence of role systems · Degrees of abstraction · Structure, time and reality Originally published in 1957.