Abstract

Phenomena that are unanticipated or based on something unanticipated are often neglected by sociologists. 'Astonishment' is selected for analysis as one of the phenomena that are frequently based on unanticipated events. Especially when unanticipated events occur together with certain other social factors, astonishment is a likely reaction. Astonishment is further analysed in terms of some basic elements of social action: The reaction may be a means (especially of social control), it may be a conscious end in action, and it may be a condition in action