ABSTRACT
Human beings are not the only creatures who live in groups, but concerted action among men is marked by a higher degree of flexibility. The study of human behavior can be greatly facilitated by breaking down the multitude of things that men do into functional units called acts, which begin with a condition of disequilibrium and are terminated with the restoration of equilibrium. Contrary to common sense belief men are not always aware of themselves as distinct units; indeed, the extent to which they are self-conscious varies remarkably. Self-consciousness is enhanced in situations in which action has been interrupted by some uncertainty concerning the reactions of the other participants. Self-control is a recurrent form of behavior, a complex process whereby a person responds to images of himself and thereby channels his conduct. When all participants engage in such self-control, concerted action proceeds smoothly.
