2 Markers of Stability

Orientation

Compatibility in the relationship was established through identification and belonging (CG5). Because such a relationship functions as a social unit, it possesses a social identity. This identity is to be found in its system of beliefs and interactions that necessarily impact on activities and communications with others. Such a system is and should be resistant to modification because you chose to belong and you have made a commitment to it.

Remember: The function of stability is to protect the relationship and gain its benefits through willing subordination.

Individuals are different in many ways, but as a party to a relationship, it is often necessary for all to handle others in an agreed way. The goal is to preserve the relationship and prevent distortion or damage to its social identity.

ClosedExamples:

In an organization, the identity is expressed through its vision, culture, strategy and operations. In a club, the constitution, rules and policies will be the key factors.

In cliques and families, identity is often largely implicit but factors like status, religion or ethnicity may be important.

In couples, the identity typically deals with fidelity, loyalty and integration.

Flexibility is required to handle situational exigencies, but responses and adaptations must always accord with the essential nature of the relationship or it gets destabilized and trouble soon erupts. Stability and protection of the relationship are handled in two ways: 

■ adherence to the official line-CG61 on specific matters
&
■ adherence to the expected conduct-CG62 in social life generally.

CG61: Official Line

The relationship may have to deal with a talking point, a core idea, a view of a happening, or an intention—where being focused and consistent is essential for all members.

The taxonomic label is official line. This common function has also been called "toeing the line", "being on message", "staying on script", "sticking to the story", or "singing from the same hymn sheet".

The official line is always definite, explicit and settled.

Function:  To enable alignment with a position that is determined within the relationship to reflect its social identity.

The parties must find a way to create a line which is plausible (or it will be rejected), coherent (or it will be misunderstood), respectful (or it will offend), realistic (or it will not work as expected), responsibly owned (or it is not genuine) and proper (or it will not be deemed acceptable).

Failure: 

Dissociating from the official line, is called variously: "going rogue", "being off-script", "breaking ranks", "muddying the waters".

Occasional distancing or denial of the official line is a lapse which may be noted but forgiven. Repeated disavowal reveals a fundamental incompatibility that proves to others that you are maverick and do not really belong.

ClosedStructure: CL1-CL6

Any official line must have the proper g6-authority in a sense determined in agreement and settled explicitly, possibly by a leader, or in front of others, or in writing with a signature, or verbally using a handshake, or sealed with a kiss—as appropriate.

You have a g5-responsibility for the official line and this must be handled responsibly in part because of its authority and also to express it genuinely.

The official line must be created in accord with a shared realistic g4-narrative.

Any official line needs to respectfully take account of differing g3-interpretations of the issue.

The official line uses a coherent g2-frame of reference, whose consistency and intelligibility are crucial in enabling alignment of all parties and acceptance by outsiders.

Finally, the official line will take the form of a g1-statement that all parties agree is plausible.

CG62: Expected Conduct

You are a representative of the relationship and so your conduct (and that of other parties in the relationship) must in general, everywhere and always, present the relationship in accord with expectations embedded, often implicitly, in its social identity.

The taxonomic label for this identity-preserving function is expected conduct. It has also been called "good form", "the done thing", "proper behaviour", "playing the game".

Because the context is infinitely variable, expected conduct is always emergent, indefinite, and tacit. However, once there is a breach, then what was expected is commonly articulated in the process of upbraiding the offending party.

Function:  To enable personal adaptation to the vicissitudes of social life in a way that maintains the social identity of the relationship.

The conduct must be plausible (or it will be rejected), coherent (or it will be misunderstood), respectful (or it will offend), realistic (or it will not work as expected), responsibly owned (or it is not genuine) and proper (or it will not be deemed acceptable).

Changes within each party and in the circumstances continually impact a relationship and the social identity will naturally evolve over time. The identity is stable but evolves slowly, in part through the accumulated conduct of the parties.

Failure: 

Departing from expected conduct is called variously: "letting the side down", "not playing the game", "being a loose cannon", "embarrassing everyone", "showing yourself up".

An occasional misjudgement rarely causes much damage. It will be noted and forgiven. But repeated failure to conduct yourself as the social identity requires is destabilizing. You are then proving to others that you cannot be relied upon and this suggests a fundamental incompatibility.

ClosedStructure: CL2-CL7

Your expected conduct must enable a proper response to the g6-context, proper in the sense that it accords with the social identity and deals with the emergent situation.

Your expected conduct must draw responsibly on the g5-authority provided by relevant understandings, agreements, precedents, conventions and similar.

Your expected conduct must enable you to take g4-responsibility realistically for the identity of the relationship.

Your expected conduct must be respectful of an existing shared g3-narrative.

Your expected conduct must coherently accord with different g2-interpretations of the situation in question.

Your expected conduct must serve as a plausible g1-frame of reference for the ongoing slow evolution of the social identity.

Summary Table

CG6 Stability Function Definiteness Incompatibility
2 Expected Conduct To enable personal adaptation to the vicissitudes of social life in a way that maintains the social identity of the relationship. Emergent, indefinite, tacit (until the breach). Due to not fitting:
being unreliable.
1 Official
Line		 To enable alignment with a position determined within the relationship to reflect its social identity. Definite, explicit, settled. Due to defiance:
being a maverick.

Transition

A compatible relationship has now been established (CG5) and applied to everyday living and working (CG6).

Any established relationship-unit is a system whose parties desire stability and resist modification. This stability is manifested as a social identity.

However, the world changes and the parties change, so it is inevitable that the relationship itself must change. The need for change will be reflected in disagreements that can emerge anywhere, but especially in relation to conclusions-CG51, terms-CG52, official lines-CG61 and expected conduct-CG62.

At some point, everyday disagreement will swell and metamorphose into a defining conflict. Such conflict is a sign that discussion needs to take place to adjust the relationship and restore harmony. This can only occur through good faith negotiations that lead to a new meaningful agreement.

Resolution of conflicts through negotiation can be enabled by adding a seventh level to form the G7-heptad.

Originally posted: 6-Oct-2026.