Interpersonal relations in the mass society

Samenvatting

The old dichotomies, like primary and secondary relationships, are unfit to explain the transformations in modern society. The trend towards sociable type relationships is to be established through empirical observation. This trend is studied in the US, but can be found in all modern societies because of the assumption that a common structure exists and that in spite of the historically based differences there is much interplay between modern societies. An increasing similarity in the different spheres of relationships matches the cultural homogeneity. A sociable mode becomes the "form" for all interpersonal relationships. It is characterized by a friendly, impersonal, superficial but smooth contact based on the equality of the partners. It is the symptom and the cause of the inability to deal with personal needs. Direct results of sociability are the increase of professional counseling and increased importance of law enforcement to deal with tension regulation, and the growth of the vocabulary to converse on an impersonal level. The psychological impact of sociability is shown in the inability to move outward, the seemingly intimate conversation with strangers which does not jeopardize the real person, and the demand of the younger generation for "real encounters." K. Dillman.