 Types of Social Structure:

Talcott Parsons has described four principal types of social structure. His classification is based

on four social values universalistic social values, particularistic social values, achieved social

values and ascribed social values. The four types of social structure are-

1. The Universalistic-Achievement Pattern:

Universalistic achievement value patterns sometimes are imposed to the values of social

structure built mostly about kinship, community, class, race etc. When universalism is combined

with achievement values, it produces a social structure of universalistic achievement pattern.

Under this type of social structure, the choice of goal by the individual must be in accord with

the universalistic values. His pursuits are defined by universalistic moral norms.

2. The Universalistic-Ascription Pattern:

Under this type of social structure, the value orientation is dominated by the elements of

ascription. Therefore, in such a social structure strong emphasis is laid on the status of the

individual rather than of his specific achievements. The emphasis is on what an individual is

rather than on what he has done. Status is ascribed to the group than to the individual. The

individual derives status from his group. Therefore, it can be said that the universalistic

achievement type of social structure is individualistic whereas the universalistic ascription type is

'collectivistic'.

3. The Particularistic - Achievement Pattern:

This type of social structure combines achievement values with particularism. It is more

traditionalistic value. Persons have kept the Indian and the Chinese social structure under this

category.
4. The Particularistic-Ascriptive Pattern:
In this type the social structure is organized around the relational reference points notably those

of kinship and local, community but it differs from the particularistic achievement type. The

structure tends to be traditional and emphasis is laid on its stability. Parsons says that Spanish

social structure is such type.