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Rules of social interaction

HOMEPAGE

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Rules of social interaction (Argyle):

A: 'No, bloody awful.'

A: 'Well, what's been happening at home?'

B: 'Did you have a good day at the office?'

B: 'Nothing much.'

A: 'Hello.'

An utterance by A should be responded to by B or C, without too much delay and without interruption.

B's response should be on the same subject, unless some explanation is given.

B should keep to the same social episode. e.g. interview, polite conversation; or he should negotiate a change of episode.

People should not suddenly arrive or leave, or start a new activity, without appropriate greeting or farewell rituals.

If rule 3 is broken there would be conversations like:

A: 'Shall we deal with item 7 on the agenda now?'

B: 'Have you heard the one about the Japanese rabbi?'

C: 'The trouble is I get these terrible impulses to rape my sister.'

M. Argyle: The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour, Penguin London ³1978

Table of Contents

Rules of social interaction

HOMEPAGE

back to Skills of satisfying social contacts

go on to Sub - roles