Moving beyond the traditional boundaries of sociological investigation,

Thomas J. Scheff brings together the study of communication and the social

psychology of emotions to explore the microworld of thoughts, feelings,

and moods. Drawing on strikingly diverse and rich sources—the findings of

artificial intelligence and cognitive science, and examples from literary

dialogues and psychiatric interviews—Scheff provides an inventive account

of the nature of social life and a theory of motivation that brilliantly

accounts for the immense complexity involved in understanding even the most

routine conversation.

"A major contribution to some central debates in social theory at the

present time. . . . What Thomas Scheff seeks to develop is essentially a

quite novel account of the nature of social life, its relation to language

and human reflexivity, in which he insists upon the importance of a theory

of emotion. . . . A work of true originality and jolting impact. . . .

Microsociology is of exceptional interest, which bears witness to the

very creativity which it puts at the center of human social contact."

—Anthony Giddens, from the Foreword

"Scheff provides a rich theory that can easily generate further exploration. And he drives home the message that sociological work on interaction, social bonds, and society cannot ignore human emotionality."—Candace Clark, American Journal of Sociology

"This outstanding and ground-breaking little volume contains a wealth of original ideas that bring together many insights concerning the relationship of emotion to motivation in a wide variety of social settings. It is strongly recommended to all serious students of emotion, of society, and of human nature."—Melvin R. Lansky, American Journal of Psychiatry