Pattern variable by Talcott Parsons
DEFINITION:
Pattern variable is a framework through which Parsons tries to understand how the actor
negotiates with the action situation and manifests a particular kind of behaviour.
BACKGROUND:
Parsons speaks about pattern variables in his book ‘the structure of social action’. Man is a
bundle of impulses but is bound by compulsions i.e. he wants to do something but culture and
norms bind him to do something else. Parsons talks about the interconnectivity between
● Actor
● Social structure
● Cultural structure
Pattern variables talk about the successful negotiation between the above three. Parsons had
sought to identify the choices between alternatives that an actor confronts in a given situation
and the relative premises assigned to such choices.
Pattern variable is a mega theoretical framework where parsons defines, how in an action
situation
● An actor identifies the counter actors
● The degree of emotional relationship appropriate in an action situation
● Range of obligation of actor towards counter actors
● Form of attachment between the actor and counter actor
● Benefits/results coming out of interaction.
PATTERN VARIABLES:
Parsons develops two sets of pattern variables.
PATTERN VARIABLE- A
● It is a product of expressive orientation demanding the gratification of needs.
● Emphasizing on aesthetic and emotive criteria.
● It is the essence of traditional society.
PATTERN VARIABLE- B
● Demands objective, rational, goal oriented actions driven by instrumental mode of
orientation.
● It is a reflection of a modern society.
To explain this further, he develops 5 different pairs of Pattern Variables.
DICHOTOMOUS VARIABLES:
1)AFFECTIVITY VS AFFECTIVE NEUTRALITY
2)ASCRIPTION VS ACHIEVEMENT
3)DIFFUSION VS SPECIFICITY
4)COLLECTIVE ORIENTATION VS SELF ORIENTATION
5)PARTICULARISM VS UNIVERSALISM
AFFECTIVITY VS AFFECTIVE NEUTRALITY
This pattern is effective when an organized action system emphasizes gratification i.e. when an
actor tries to avoid pain and to maximize pleasure. This relates to the degree of emotion
appropriate to social relationships in a given situation. The pattern is affectively neutral when it
imposes discipline, and renouncement or deferment of some gratification in favour of others
interests.
ASCRIPTION VS ACHIEVEMENT
This classification was first used by Ralph Linton. He says ascription is the most important value
in traditional society as it gives rise to persistence without the element of change. Achievement
is a modern trait. Parsons says through assumption and achievement we talk of the identity of
the actor.
Ascription– who the actor is
Achievement– what the actor is capable of doing
PARTICULARISM VS UNIVERSALISM
The former refers to standards determined by an actor’s particular relations with a particular
object, the latter refers to value standards that are highly generalized. It talks about the benefits
of action and interaction meant for a particular community or all the members of a society.
DIFFUSION VS SPECIFICITY
Diffuseness and specificity deal with the range of obligations involved. These refer to the nature
of social contacts and how extensive or how narrow are the obligations in any interaction.
For example, in a bureaucracy, social relationships are very specific, where we meet with or
contact someone for some very particular reason associated with their status and position, e.g.
visiting a physician. In contrast, traditional society, friendships, and parent-child relationships
are examples of more diffuse forms of contact – involving few people but having a broad or
diffuse range of obligations. We rely on friends for a broad range of types of support, including
conversation, support, accommodation, and intimate relationships. While there may be limits on
such contacts, the diffuse relationships associated with traditional society or friendship have the
potential of dealing with almost any set of interests and problems.
COLLECTIVE ORIENTATION VS SELF ORIENTATION
This pair emphasizes the extent of collective or shared interest as opposed to self interest that
is associated with social action. Each social action is carried out in a social context and in
various types of collectivities. Where individuals pursue a collective form of action, then the
interests of the collectivity may take precedence over that of the individual, for example, in
Durkheim’s traditional society, mechanical solidarity, or even in contemporary family activities.
Various forms of action such as altruism, charity, self-sacrifice (in wartime) also fit this variable.
In modern societies, individual success and instrumental activity often become dominant in
social action, especially in economic action. Models of the latter assume there is egoism or
self-interest in individual economic action, and this forms the basis on which much social and
economic analysis is constructed.
Self-orientation– Utilitarianism and Egoism
Collective orientation– Altruism
Conclusion:
Pattern variables help in distinguishing between different types of societies.
Choices of individuals of one pattern over another are dictated by the cultural values and
institutionalized norms, i.e, social action is guided by the social system.
Thus the idea of pattern variables provides an overall direction in which most of the members
choose their roles.
