Abstract
The importance of macroscopic analysis inthe study of group structure was pointed out. To describe the characteristics of macroscopic structure, 5 dimensions were proposed: Unity, Centralization, Polarity, Hierarchicality, and Density.
In order to describe macroscopic sociometric group structure, a condensation method was introduced.
The condensation method, which was derived from graph theory, treats members in mutual choice relations as a set named “component” and describes macroscopic structure, as a pattern of relations among components.
Genneral principles of condensation analysis were introduced and some practical procedures were explained.
Some examples of sociometric condensations which were obtained by applying the methods to middle school classroom analysis were presented, and theoretical as well as practical utilities of the model were discussed.
