Philosophy

Social psychology

Computer science

Sociological imagination

Anthropology

Psychology

Mathematics

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Political science

Legitimacy

Epistemology

Sociology

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Totem

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Social science

American Journal of Sociology

The uniform is viewed as a device to resolve certain dilemmas of complex organizations-namely, to define their boundaries, to assure that members will conform to their goals, and to eliminate conflicts in the status sets of their members. The uniform serves several functions: it acts as a totem, reveals and conceals statuses, certifies legitimacy, and suppresses individuality. The interaction of these components and the acceptance or rejection of the uniform and its associated status by the wearer are described.

The Uniform: A Sociological Perspective