Social Action theory

2.0 Objectives

  • Understand Parsons' perspective on social action and the action frame of reference.

  • Narrate how personality, culture, and social systems influence individual or collective behavior.

2.1 Introduction

  • Previous unit focused on Radcliffe-Brown’s structural approach.

  • This unit explores Parson’s view of social systems and the individual, emphasizing social action.

  • The aim is to present a comprehensive understanding of social systems in the social sciences.

2.2 The Concept of Social System

  • Defined by Mitchell (1979): A social system consists of multiple actors interacting in a bounded situation, focused on common goals.

  • Social systems encompass families, political parties, kinship groups, and societies.

  • Parsons builds on predecessors like Pareto, Durkheim, and Max Weber to highlight a unified theory of social systems.

2.2.1 Parsons’ View of Social System

  • Critique of utilitarian, positivist, and idealist approaches:

    • Utilitarianism: Emphasizes individual rationality but overlooks social cohesion.

    • Positivism: Assumes actors have complete knowledge of their situations, eliminating variability and values.

    • Idealism: Focuses too much on social spirit without considering practical obstructions.

  • Parsons reviews contributions from major thinkers to develop his action frame of reference.

2.3 Parsons’ Action Approach

  • Co-edited "Towards a General Theory of Action" (1951) to promote structural-functionalism.

  • Action theory explains the situations influencing how rational actors choose actions.

  • Interdisciplinary approach incorporating sociology, anthropology, psychology, and biology.

Comparison with Max Weber and Emile Durkheim

  • Weber: Sociology interprets social action, categorizes it into rational goal-oriented, value-oriented, emotional, and traditional.

  • Durkheim: Action is governed by social norms and collective consciousness, emphasizing societal influence over individual actions.

  • Parsons’ theory combines rational action with motivations and values.

2.5 Personality as a System

  • The individual is the unit of analysis, with the personality system influencing behavior.

  • Distinction between biological drives (automatic) and need-dispositions (socio-culturally developed).

  • Socialization shapes individual actions based on societal expectations.

Key Aspects of Personality System

  1. Socialization influences behavior, with adults shaping children's reactions and choices.

  2. Instincts play a role in personality development but are socially conditioned.

2.6 Cultural Aspects of Action Systems

  • The cultural system maintains social stability through shared patterns and values.

  • Components include:

    • Ideas and beliefs

    • Expressive symbols (e.g., art, styles)

    • Systems of value orientation

  • Internalization of cultural patterns influences behavior and personality.

2.7 Integrative Functions of the Social System

  • Social systems consist of multiple actors, with roles defining interactions.

  • Institutionalized roles align with cultural patterns and moral norms.

  • Role expectations create a shared reality enabling individual diversity within limits.

  • Common cultural orientations solve allocation and integration problems.

2.8 Behavioral System

  • Aimed to connect biological needs with personality constructs.

  • Behavioral needs include physiological and socio-cultural relations, evolving from instincts to need disposition.

2.9 Let Us Sum Up

  • Socialization shapes personality structure through societal interactions.

  • Parsons underscores the significance of socialization and control in motivating individual actions.

  • The theory of action integrates knowledge across disciplines, maintaining boundaries while fostering interdependence among action systems.

2.10 References

  • Parsons, Talcott & Shills, Edward A. (1962). Towards a General Theory of Action, Cambridge, Harvard University Press.