Includes bibliographical references and index.

"This book offers an unprecedented, integrative account of the shape of social order on the microsocial level. Dealing with the basic dimensions of interaction, the authors examine the major factors which influence 'structure' in social interaction by applying various theoretical concepts. Although the concept of 'microsociology' is usually association with symbolic interactionism, social psychology, the works of George Herbert Mead and Erving Goffman, and with qualitative methodologies, this book reaches beyond interactionist theories, claiming that no single school of thought covers the different dimensions necessary for understanding the basics of microsociology. As such, the book provides something of a microsociologist's 'tool-kit', analysing an array of theoretical approaches which offer the best conceptual solutions, and interpreting them in a way that is independent of their specific theoretical language. Such theoretical traditions include systems theory, conversation analysis, structuralism, the theory of knowledge, and the philosophy of language. Providing a distinct, systematic, incremental approach to the subject, this book fills an important gap in sociological literature. Written in an accessible style, and offering new insights into the area of microsociology, it will appeal to students and scholars of the social sciences, and to those with interests in sociology, microsociology, interactionism and sociological theory"-- Provided by publisher.