The book named, “Social Commitments in a Depersonalized World” by Edward J. Lawler, Shane R.
Thye, and Jeongkoo Yoon has introduced some interesting discussion of literature on organizations, and
emotions. In the first couple of chapters, the authors have argued that people develop persons to group
commitments which are mostly because of emotional interpretations and social interaction. Gradually,
these sorts of interactions lead a person to experience both positive and negative emotions that arise
through their social engagement (p.53). There is a tendency for persons to understand their positive or
negative emotions concerning the social units within which they experience those emotions (p.54).
However, from the reading, I have come to understand that the emotion plays the most important role in
social interaction, although the importance of emotions seems not to be grasped by the vast body of the
sociologist. However, Durkheim talked about mechanical and organic solidarity which basically, refers to
the social integration of members of a society who share common values and beliefs but doesn't really
explain the importance of emotions in society. In this book, the authors propose the outline of a highly
important theory, "the theory of social commitment" where all fundamental notions are obvious once it is
stated but the provision of the statement in the first place requires much effort, insight, and ingenuity
(p.72). However, by going through the whole book, the main idea which I have come to understand is that
"our theory of social commitments implies that the fountainhead of this capacity to create and sustain
communities is emotional and effective" (p. 197). In chapters 5, 6 & 7, the authors have verified "this
Capacity" and have referred it as "one's commitments to their own society."
Consequently, it becomes quite evident that one's commitment depends upon their self-interests which
were gradually shaped by "EMOTIONS" (p.178). Lastly, I can say that the authors here have used "the
theory of social commitment" in order to identify the condition of social behaviors and social structure.
Undoubtedly, it's a valuable book which examines the value of emotions in the prospect of social
commitment through person-to-person interactions as well as person-to-group solidarities; especially
among individuals with a common interest.