Sociologists are generally concerned with understanding the interface between self and society. A variety of interface mechanisms have been suggested including, but not limited to, “role taking” and “role making” (Cicourel, 1974; Stryker, 1980; Smith-Lovin, this volume; Heise, 1987), development of shared meanings (Stryker, 1980; Burke, this volume; Smith-Lovin, this volume), development of common language (Cicourel, 1974; Shibutani, 1961; Luria, 1981; Callero, this volume), development of common response (Goffman, 1963; Heise, 1987; Smith-Lovin, this volume), and identity formulation (Stryker & Serpe, 1982; Serpe, 1987, this volume; Howard, this volume; Smith-Lovin, this volume; Blumstein, this volume; Burke, this volume; Stryker, this volume). Underlying all of these conceptions is the notion that what information individuals have, and what information they share with others, is somehow key to the self–society interface. It is generally acknowledged that individuals do not acquire this information in a vacuum, but that the social context affects what information they acquire and what information they consider salient. For example, the extant social context impacts the individual's notion of self (Turner & Billings, this volume; Smith-Lovin, this volume; Stryker, this volume) and the individual's conception of others (Heise, 1987; Smith-Lovin, this volume). Two of the aspects of social context that have been explored include social structure and social knowledge.