Document Type
Article
Abstract
This study reconceptualizes the term structural tightness in order to clarify the equivocal empirical findings in cross-cultural conformity research. Structural tightness is defined as the ability to impose collective role expectations on members of a community. The results often exploratory test of the theoretical proposal are reported and the implications for fiuture research are discussed. In general, the findings suggest that further investigation of the theoretical proposal is warranted. Researchers working within the social structure and personality framework continue to generate useful pure and applied research hypotheses (House, 1981; Spenner, 1988; Turner, 1988). Such advances are sustained by research that emphasizes "aspects of societies in relation to aspects of individual personality" (House, 1981:526. Emphasis in original). The research reported here follows this tradition and focuses on one component of a promising cross-cultural model where equivocal empirical findings have stalled further research. This paper has two specific objectives. First, it forwards a reconceptualization of the term "structural tightness". In doing so a social structural dimension pertinent to advancing the cross-cultural research model under consideration is specified. Secondly, the results of an exploratory study testing some implications of the theoretical proposal are reported.
Recommended Citation
Roberts, Lance W.; Boldt, Edward D.; and Guest, Anne
(1990)
"Structural Tightness and Social Conformity: Varying the Source of External Influence,"
Great Plains Sociologist: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/greatplainssociologist/vol3/iss1/5