Social Experimentation Self-Process or Social Role

Abstract

The present article uses Lifton's protean man concept to describe a pattern of social experimentation with new religious, cultic and self-growth groups in contemporary American society. However, proteanism or social experimentation is understood herein to signify a positive search by some for meaning, identity and community, and to describe more aptly a new social role, rather than a new form of self-process. We delineate the social experimenter role and its various support systems within society (i.e., the cultic/self-growth subculture, the entrepreneurs of experience, and the cominant culture itself). In conclusion, we discuss the popularity of social experimentation in contemporary American society in relation to: the human need to explore and grow; the opportunities afforded by modern society; and the conflicts between various interest groups in society.