Grupė kaip dinaminė sistema : nuo ko pradėti?

This article outlines the nature of the observations and modelling which are necessary in order to obtain a well defined characterization of a sub-cultural group. The general rule indicates that for a useful characterization of a group it is necessary to describe not only its state but also the way the group interacts with its environment, i.e. the rest of the society. To understand the dynamics of a group it is necessary to study these characterizations at more than one time instant. With regard to the first point, it makes a significant difference what variables to consider when describing the state of a group. On the one hand, the variables considered by the press and other actors in the environment of the group may not all be important; on the other hand, the same variables may not be sufficient to characterize either the group or its interaction with the environment. The second point reveals what is necessary to begin defining the functions that allow of a causal explanation of the behavior of a group. Only after constructing a complete – even if approximate  – model of a group can a researcher decide if both the observations and the theorizing are on the right track.

Siūlomas grupės aprašymas padeda tiriamą grupę vienareikšmiškai išskirti iš grupių rinkinio. Naudojama dinaminių sistemų prieiga padeda natūraliai susieti empirinį grupės aprašymą su grupę apibūdinančio modelio aprašymu. Antroje straipsnio dalyje plačiau nagrinėjamas ryšys tarp modeliavimo proceso ir empirinės etnografinės medžiagos rinkimo.