Experimental modeling of socio-dynamic phenomena in mass culture

The article discusses the possibility of experimental modeling of mass culture phenomena while studying for small social groups. This strategy is defined on the base of the subject-active approach. In accordance with this approach the author claims by the following. As well as a person, small group, large social group and even society at large are subjects of the creative activity; therefore in many situations they are similar. The purpose of this study was to examine the emergence of the new group norms and cultural values in conditions of experimental simulation. The analysis of this phenomenon is based on the social and cultural dynamics theory, which was offered by A. Mole’s. The author believes that there are grounds to assert that meaningless objects can become the values of mass culture following the principle: an accidental phenomenon — the group norm — socio-cultural value. The study was conducted by the laboratory experiment in three stages. It showed that an object (a word) randomly selected by the participants in the experiment can become sensible in the framework of group decision-making. It gains «value» for the participants so as they try to keep it on while a discussion with opponents.

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