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  • Parsons - Social Action

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    Shashank Sagar
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    Talcott Parsons developed a theory of social action that combines micro and macro perspectives. His theory examines the conditions of social action, including the social situation, goals, norms/values, and energy investment of the actor. Parsons identified two types of social action orientations - motivational and value. Motivational orientation is influenced by individual needs and values, while value orientation considers societal norms and values. Parsons also described three types of social action - instrumental, expressive, and moral - based on whether the logical, emotional, or moral aspects are strongest. There can be conflict between motivational and value orientations due to problems with socialization or institutionalization of societal expectations.

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    Talcott Parsons developed a theory of social action that combines micro and macro perspectives. His theory examines the conditions of social action, including the social situation, goals, norms/values, and energy investment of the actor. Parsons identified two types of social action orientations - motivational and value. Motivational orientation is influenced by individual needs and values, while value orientation considers societal norms and values. Parsons also described three types of social action - instrumental, expressive, and moral - based on whether the logical, emotional, or moral aspects are strongest. There can be conflict between motivational and value orientations due to problems with socialization or institutionalization of societal expectations.

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    13 views12 pages

    Parsons - Social Action

    Uploaded by

    Shashank Sagar
    Talcott Parsons developed a theory of social action that combines micro and macro perspectives. His theory examines the conditions of social action, including the social situation, goals, norms/values, and energy investment of the actor. Parsons identified two types of social action orientations - motivational and value. Motivational orientation is influenced by individual needs and values, while value orientation considers societal norms and values. Parsons also described three types of social action - instrumental, expressive, and moral - based on whether the logical, emotional, or moral aspects are strongest. There can be conflict between motivational and value orientations due to problems with socialization or institutionalization of societal expectations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    TALCOTT PARSONS

    SOCIAL ACTION
    Combining micro & macro
    Rejecting exclusivism
    Theory of Social Action
    Book: “The structure of Social Action, 1937”.
    Conditions of Social Action:
    Social situation (social aspect)
    Oriented towards goals (motivational aspect)
    Regulated by norms & values (value aspect)
    Involves investment of energy (biological aspect)
    Actor possesses alternative means
    2 types of social Action
    Based on Orientations
    Motivational orientation
    Influence of Weber
    Influenced by individual’s own needs
    Personal needs, interests & plans
    about knowing the phenomenon

    Cognitive (observation, according to one’s needs)


    Cathactic (Affective \Emotional)
    Evaluate (How best to use your energies to satisfy the need)
    Value orientation
    ED’s influence
    Considering norms & values

    Cognitive (societal values altering observation)


    Appreciative (societal values altering emotions)
    Moral (what is the right thing to do)
    Types of Social Action

    Instrumental Action
    Zweck – rational
    Evaluative aspect strong: Logical means

    Expressive Action
    Emotional
    Appreciative aspect strong

    Moral Action
    Traditional & Wert rational
    Moral aspect story
    Based on traditions values
    Conflict between Motivational & Value orientations

    Pattern variables
    ADAPCO
    Ascription vs Achievement
    Diffuseness vs specificity (obligations in an interaction)
    Affectivity vs Affective Neutrality (Amount of emotion)
    Particularism vs universalism
    Collective orientation vs self – orientation
    Why this conflict
    Problems of Internalization (fault in socialization)

    Problems of Institutionalization (lack of clarity generated by society


    wrt expectations of a pattern)

    At times, both co–exist (Twin Problems)

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