Figurational Sociology

Figurational sociology” or “process sociology” are terms associated with a research tradition strongly influenced by the work of the German Jewish sociologist Norbert Elias (1897–1990). Human beings are social beings embedded in figurations which are always changing and developing, but continue to be mainly unplanned. Elias used concepts that can help to explain the development of sociopsychological processes in society, emphasizing the strong, affective ties that link people with one another across generations in different societies. According to Elias, the survival unit has a primacy compared to other figurations because it has the highest level of autonomy, providing protection and resources such as food and shelter for its members. Future directions for research in figurational sociology include comparative research that explores the similarities and differences in the civilizing processes of non‐European developed and developing countries

Autonomy · German · Judaism · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Theology · Anthropology · Law · Philosophy · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Sociology and Norbert Elias