Talcott Parsons: Social System
All sociological theories of Talcott Parsons are based upon his conception of social action. The over form of social action is expressed as a role or function. The role or function presents itself in various ways. When the role is performed by an individual, then it comes under the category of Personality System. On the other hand, when the role is performed in the context of some cultural background, it comes under the category of Cultural System. And if a role is being performed in a certain social context of background, then it is covered by the category of Social System.
Meaning of social system
Parsons has discussed the personality, the culture and the social systems. To explain the meaning of the term system, Parsons points out that each individual and society has a certain nature or habit. It is generally believed that each individual should act according to his nature. We expect a specific behaviour from an individual with a particular habit or nature. Each individual has a norm or standard of behaviour; generally, a person’s behaviour conforms to his norm. If an individual acts against the expected behaviour and contrary to the norm of his behaviour, he is considered to be suffering from a disorder of his personality system.
In every society or culture, a certain standard of behaviour is expected. Anarchy is ensured if the behaviour is contrary to the norm or standard. Thus, a system implies conformity to a standard of behaviour expected of an individual, society or culture.
1. Personality system:
The personality system is concerned with the social actions of an individual. An individual's social actions can be viewed from two points of view. The first point of view is self-regarding, that is, he views his actions according to the nature of his own self. The second point of view is evaluation of the actions of the individual from the viewpoint of others.
The other persons have a definite idea about the nature of an individual and they expect from him a particular type of behaviour; they judge with reference to the norm of behaviour they have in mind about him.
Under these conditions, an individual is prepared to sacrifice and fulfill his desires. If an individual’s behaviour is in accordance with his own nature and the expectations of others, he is considered to have a well-organized personality. If, on the other hand, the behaviour of an individual is in conflict with his own basic nature or the expectations of others, he is considered to have a disorganized personality.
2. Cultural System.
When the individual system rises to the level of culture, it is known as cultural system. The individual and society gather cultural facts. The culture is represented by certain signs and symptoms. When any action is done with reference to these cultural signs and symptoms, Parsons includes it in the category of cultural system.
For example, the cultural system emerges if certain social ceremonies are deliberately performed. The cultural system is said to be well organised, where the ceremonies or social formalities remain unchanged for a long time. On the contrary, if the cultural system is then ill-organized. Thus, it is clear that a cultural system is well-organized as long as it actively influences the lives of the individuals.
3. Social System
A society is made up of individuals. A number of different types of individuals live in Society. They may have a common culture or may belong to different set of cultures. According to Parsons, if all individuals in a society belong to same culture, they form a social system. The various cultural signs or symptoms have the same meaning for all the members of that society.
For example, in a Hindu Society, all individuals illuminate their homes with earthen lights, candles, etc., on a particular day. If for all of them, this lighting and illumination is related to the story of Rama’s victorious return to Ayodhya, then we can say that a social system is obtained in the society.
Besides the commonness of culture, it is necessary for a social system that the social actions of various members of a society should be well-coordinated and not so conflict as to destroy social harmony. In an advanced society, institutions work to systematise these social actions.
Thus, the concept of social system directs our attention to the arrangement and interaction of parts. It points out that organised activity’s effectiveness depends on the parts’ interaction and inter-relationship. A social system reveals a balance between its parts, which facilitates its operation. Occasionally, it may reveal imbalance, but it tends towards equilibrium.
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