Aayushi BansalAIR 7 · CSE 2024 · 153 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Pattern Variable theory in its famous form was given by Talcott Parsons. However, it is argued that the concept existed much before him.
Pattern Variables
Body · points and prose
• Self vs collective • Affectivity vs Affective neutrality • Ascription vs achievement • Particularism vs Universalism • Diffusivity vs Specificity
Preconceived
Close · a summary
Pattern Variables suggest a dichotomy of traditionl vs modern. Ferdinand Tonnies gave the concept of Gemmienschaft (community) to represent, simple society with informl perrnal relationships.
Gesellschaft (society) described modern society with formal, contractual relationships.
Similarly, Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity in traditional societies with low dynamic density & division of labour and organic solidarity for complex division of labour suggests classification similar to pattern variables.
Even Weber's bureaucratic modern society is based on achievement, universalism, specificity & affective neutrality.
However, Parson's contribution is significant from dilemma standpoint of social action which was missed by previous scholars.
Theory of Pattern Variables continues to enrich vocabulary of Sociology.