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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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Social Experimentation Self-Process or Social Role

Brock K. Kilbourne

University of Nevada, Reno

James T. Richardson

University of Nevada, Reno

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 con temporary 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: 1) the human need to explore and grow; 2) the opportunities afforded by modem society; and 3) the conflicts between various interest groups in society.

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 31, No. 1, 13-22 (1985)
DOI: 10.1177/002076408503100102
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