Toward a General Theory of Action: Theoretical Foundations for the Social Sciences

by Parsons,Talcott

• ISBN13: 9780765807182
• ISBN10: 0765807181
• Edition: Abridged
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2001-01-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This new edition introduces the social science audiences of a new century to one of the classic highlights of the mid-twentieth century. This is the most general statement of the general theory of action as it was developed by its principle exponent, Talcott Parsons, and his close collaborators who formed the core of the fabled department of social relations at Harvard University. Toward a General Theory of Action is an extremely ambitious formulation of the ingredients, dimensions, and ranges that determine human behavior. Parsons and Shils enunciate principles that are at the core of contemporary social science preoccupations-including the precarious balance between social integration and conflict. The volume is at once universal in intent and highly personal, an expression of Parsons' thought, one of the most notable sociological theorists of the century. Finally, the book symbolizes the interdisciplinary impulse that typified a widespread belief in the unity of the sciences. This edition includes the collaborative group's introductory statement, Richard Sheldon's essay on the theoretical and philosophical status of the general theory of action, and "Values, Motives and Systems of Action" by Parsons and Shils. Guy Swanson, writing in the The American Sociological Review, noted that "Parsons and Shils have performed a major service in clearing away many old controversies, in showing the reasonableness of a behavioral foundation for general theory in social science as a whole and in sociology in particular, in clarifying the interrelations among many concepts, and in the insightful interpretation of particular pieces of data." It is testimony to this book's continuing significance that it continues to generate new lines of research and writings. Talcott Parsons and Edward A. Shils are now deceased. Parsons had a lifelong association with Harvard University, and Shils had an equally long distinguished service at Chicago University in the United States and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. The special editor for the Transaction edition, Neil J. Smelser is director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, at Stanford University. From 1958 through 1994 he served on the sociology faculty at the University of California at Berkeley. He is author of many books in the areas of social theory, social change, economic sociology, social movements and the sociology of education.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Transaction Edition	vii
Preface	xxi
PART 1 The General Theory of Action
Some Fundamental Categories of the Theory of Action: A General Statement	3	(27)
Talcott Parsons
Edward A Shils
Gordon W. Alport
Clyde Kluckhohn
Henry A. Murray
Robert R. Sears
Richard C. Sheldon
Samuel A. Stouffer
Edward C. Tolman
Introduction
The frame of reference of the theory of action
Some fundamentals of behaviour psychology
Interaction and the development of personality
Cultural aspects of action systems
The social system. A note on the place of economic theory and political theory in the general theory of action
Some Observations on Theory in the Social Sciences	30	(23)
Richard C. Sheldon
PART 2 Values, Motives, and Systems of Action
Talcott Parsons
Edward A. Shils
James Olds
Introduction	47	(6)
Categories of the Orientation and Organization of Action	53	(57)
Action and its orientation
Components of the frame of reference of the theory of action
Commentary on the frame of reference
Classification of objects
Orientation to the situation
Dilemmas of orientation and the pattern variables
The definition of pattern variables
The interrelations of the pattern variables
Classification of need-dispositions and role-expectations
Classification of components of the object situation
The basic structure of the interactive relationship
The concept of system and the classification of types of systems
Personality as a System of Action	110	(49)
Motivational concepts
Need-dispositions
Functional prerequisites of the personality system
Learning processes and performance processes
The mechanisms
Subintegrations in the personality system
The articulation of personality and social systems
Need-dispostions and role-expectations
Individuality
Deviance
Systems of Value-Orientation	159	(31)
The place of value-orientation patterns in the organization of culture
The classification of the elements of culture
Cognitive symbols
Expensive symbols
Evaluative symbols
Pattern consistency and sources of strain
The integration of systems of value-orientations into the social system
Systems of personal values
The problem of classification of value systems
The Social System	190	(44)
Major features and prerequisites
The foci of organization
The allocation of rewards
The integration of the social system
Classification of social systems and their components: structural types
The content of roles
Integration: consensus and power
The analysis of social structure
Motivation and the dynamics of social process
The problem of social change
Conclusion	234	(13)
Figures 1-15	247	(30)
Index	277