ABSTRACT
In this essay somewhat different organizational features of social relationships are explored. The author proposes that any type of social organization may be analyzed in terms of a focus and a set of boundary rules to maintain and effectuate that focus. In this context she elaborates the idea of the shape (focus) of a relationship and its role in determining aspects of the culture (boundary rules) of the relationship is more clearly exhibited. Such an organizational analysis discloses an important complementarity or reciprocality between the focus and boundary rules of relationships and those of encounters, providing conceptual leverage for an understanding of the mutual effects between relationships and interactive encounters. In particular, the topics of alienation and of change in these two types of social organization are viewed from this perspective.
