Social Compass

The A. shows how the empirical studies made on the basis of the classical theories of L. Wirth on urbani zation, have modified considerably the ideas we had on the origins of the urban way of life. It is also no longer possible to use dychomotic concepts such as rural-urban to analyse it. On the contrary, it appears that these phenomena ought to be analysed in the line of a more socio-cultural approach, including the study of industrialization and bureaucratization.

Personal relations fulfilled many functions in all socie ties before the expansion of mass media. Today, the development of urbanization, together with the expan sion of mass media, lend personal relations less poly functional, by the use of more adequate substitutes for some functions. The A. proposes some conculsions useful for pastoral action.

The A. examines the problems posed by the calculation of the percentage of mass attendance and more espe cially the basis of the calculation. In some studies the total population is taken into account, in others the rate is established on a more acurated basis : excluding children of less than 7 years, people above 70 years, etc. He applies the principles he has elabo rated in the first part of this article to the data gathered in a survey on the mass attendance in the city of Ghent, and concludes in stating great impor tance of knowing thoroughly the methods which were used in calculating such percentages. Their signifi cace and value are completely determined by it.

The analysis of external and internal patterns of con duct in the observation of religious duties (especially mass attendance on Sunday) shows typical differencies in time, space, and from one social category to another. There exists also a difference of rhythm in their evolution, between external and internal pat terns. From these considerations, both theoretical and pratical, the A. makes some pertinent conclusions on the adaptation of pastoral work in rural countries.

We are authorized by the « Society for the Scientific Study of Religion » to reprint this Annual Bibliogra phy, 1960 - compiled by Walter Houston Clark, Hartford Seminary Foundation, Hartford 5, Conn., and E. A. Thompson, 146 Second Street, Mineola, N. Y. (Items followed by PA are abstracted in Psy chological Abstracts, by SA, in Sociological Abstracts).