A pluralistic framework for the analysis of the American culture is presented. The published results of the Coleman report are used as an example of how the conceptual framework can be operationalized. The dependent variable of the analysis is one measuring social performance. The independent variables measure some aspect of themes, behavior styles, and information components. Social performance within the "mainstream culture" can be measured using the tests of educational achievement administered in the public schools. Using the score on the Verbal Ability Scale (which according to Coleman is the best criterion of achievement) as the measure of social performance in the mainstream culture, it was found that the groups with the highest performance levels are whites and Oriental Americans. Southern blacks constitute the group with the lowest score. According to Coleman the test of general information probes areas likely to have become known through out-of-school activities. The high correlation between group rankings on Verbal Ability and General Information indicates the relevance of these information components to social performance within the mainstream culture. (Author/JM)