Sociometry is a science developed by psychotherapist Jacob Moreno that studies relationships, social structures, and mental health. It involves measuring groups and analyzing the behavior and status of individuals within those groups. Moreno’s major contribution was the sociogram, a method of representing relationships between individuals. Sociometry is divided into research and applied categories, with the former exploring relationship patterns and the latter helping individuals and groups expand their social networks. Sociometrists work in various fields related to psychology, counseling, executive leadership, community, and organizational development.
Psychotherapist Jacob Moreno is credited with the development of sociometry. Sociometry is described as a science involving the study and measurement of relationships, social structures and mental health. It involves measuring groups and the behavior and status of individuals within those groups.
Sociometry involves a different approach to understanding group alliances. Unlike other sciences, it requires exploration of social groups and organizations from the core of structures. Sociometry is concerned with revealing and analyzing the hidden beliefs, alliances and hidden agendas of group structures. It also involves analyzing the substructure of the group. Sociometry works on the premise that each of these elements, from alliances to subgroups, combine to shape groups and organizations.
Among Moreno’s major contributions to sociometry was the sociogram. The sociogram is a method of representing individuals as points on graphs and using lines and arcs to represent the relationships between individuals. Additionally, Moreno created a journal titled Sociometry.
Sociometry is often divided into two categories, applied sociometry and research sociometry. The research category, often called network explorations, is involved in finding relationship patterns in both small and large groups. Relational patterns can be researched using individuals and small groups, as well as groups as large as entire neighborhoods. A research sociometrist might be concerned with finding out things like who an individual finds it desirable to sit in a group with, who is approachable for advice, and who is perceived to be a good leader. However, these things are just the tip of the iceberg, as research sociometrists delve into many aspects of relationship models.
Applied sociometry deals with the use of various methods to help both individuals and groups. Applied sociometrists seek to help their subjects expand and develop their social networks. Both research and the fields of applied sociometry work to encourage and inspire groups and individuals to more spontaneous, energetic and creative patterns.
Sociometrists practice in a wide range of fields. They are featured in occupations related to psychology and counseling as well as those involving executive leadership. Sociometrists also work in fields dealing with community and organizational development.
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