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.