Faces of the phenomenon of expectations

Abstract

The article examines the vision of the phenomenon of expectations in the works of sociologists. For this purpose, an analysis of the works of M. Weber, T. Parsons, A. Schutz, V. Vroom, H. Heckhausen, N. Luhmann, P. Berger, Th. Luckmann, Y. Habermas, Z. Bauman, I. Hoffman, H. Garfinkel. The study showed that expectation is a complex and diverse phenomenon that cannot be reduced to a single denominator. The traditional method of organizing this colorful phenomenon by means of selection according to one or more criteria of classes and types of expectations has its limitations. After all, classification as a method of explanation can be the cause of false conclusions and interpretations, since the same manifestations of expectations can hide different reasons for their occurrence. K. Levin called this way of theorizing Aristotelian. The scientist saw a way out of this situation in the transition to the Galilean way of thinking. K. Levin called this transition the transition from the abstract-classifying to the constructive method. The latter means searching for the reasons for the existence of natural and social phenomena. This way of thinking is demonstrated in the works of the above-mentioned sociologists. Thanks to the analysis of their works, it was possible to distinguish four types of expectations. The first is pre-intentional expectations, the second is rational-activity expectations, the third is communicative-role expectations, and the fourth is background expectations. The essence of the pre-intentional type consists in unlimited dreams, fantasies, illusions, imaginations, which are concentrated in the consciousness of the subject of expectations, and which have no influence on the external world. The rational-activity type is an anticipatory reflection of object-transforming activity, processes of acquisition or appropriation of objects, which takes the form of intentions, plans, calculations, and the purpose of activity. The communicative-role type is manifested in the observance by interaction partners of standardized norms, rules, requirements, in the reproduction of status and role standards in behavior. The essence of background expectations lies in the presence of fixed attitudes in the behavior of the individual, in the standardized features of everyday processes, which are accepted by a person in everyday life on faith.