Forms of activity and interpersonal relations

Forms of activity and interpersonal relations in sociology can be described as follows: first and most basic are animal-like behaviors, i.e. various physical movements of the body. Then there are actions - movements with a meaning and purpose. Then there are social behaviors, which are addressed towards other people, and social actions, which further require a response from another person. Next are social contacts, a pair of social actions, which form the beginning of social interactions. Social interactions in turn form the basis of social relations. This division is illustrated by the table below:

	Physical movement	Meaning	Directed towards others	Await response	Unique/rare interaction	Interactions	Accidental, not planned, but repeated interaction	Regular interactions	Interactions described by law, custom or tradition	A scheme of social interactions
Behavior
Action
Social behavior
Social action
Social contact
Social interaction
Repeated interaction
Regular interaction
Regulated interaction
Social relation

See also

• Affectional action
• Interpersonal relationship
• Instrumental action
• Traditional action
• Value-rational action

References

• Piotr Sztompka, Socjologia, Znak, 2002, ISBN 83-240-0218-9