TOWARD A SOCIOLOGICAL MODEL OF CONSENSUS.

Two distinct meanings emerge from a review of the literature on consensus: agreement, and co-orientation. Using the second meaning, a conceptual definition of degree of consensus is formulated which is based on a social system model, rather than on individual system models. Drawing upon earlier research, two operational definitions of this model are proposed. Finally, a set of propositions relate degree of consensus in a group to the type of coordination which occurs between members of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]