Contours in Social Change: Elemental Graphics and a Surrogate Variable for Gamma Change
阐释了阿尔法、贝塔和伽马三种变化类型，通过社会政治和技术视角强调其重要性，并用尖点性质曲面分析可视化变化、解释问题，最后用耗竭阶段模型缓解研究中的悲观情绪。
This article illustrates the plural concept of change--alpha, beta, and gamma varieties. Socio-political and technical perspectives are employed to reinforce the significance of the concept. In addition, an analysis of a surface with cusp-like properties (a) helps visualize the three types of change; (b) elaborates the interpretive problems; and (c) suggests how the concept can have the inadvertent effect of contributing to a pessimistic view of research and intervention. Finally, a phase model of burn-out seeks to ameliorate this pessimism.