Catij: A New Sociometric and Its Application to a Prison Living Unit

A new sociometric technique is described which is generally more powerful than prior methods for analyzing the structure of bounded human groups less than about 150 in size. The method is applied to a female cottage of 41 inmates and 11 staff members (counselors and officers). Data from this application are presented and analyzed regarding the dynamics of subgroup formation. Some general findings are considered, including: (1) a numerical definition of the word clique; (2) the role of weak links in a social structure; and (3) the number of persons and spheres of life used by any individual in a complex society to order his social relationships.