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Unit-3: Theories of Social Stratification-I

mechanisms thus become un-avoidable. These can be rituals, secondary institutions, isolation etc. Notes
Rituals can break down under heavy social pressure, but as long as these function these perform
very useful social control. These control and balance human behaviour on the basis of values of
the community and society. Then there are secondary institutions which help in maintaining
social control. With their help behaviour of an individual is made to conform to social standards
and values accepted by the society. These institutions go a long way in reducing social conflicts.
According to Parsons insulation and isolation are two other means of social control. Parsons has
interpreted insulation mechanism “as having the function of preventing potential conflicting elements
in the culture and social structure from coming into the kind of conflict which would be likely to lead to open
conflict.” With the help of this mechanism, it becomes possible to check powerful conflicting forces
from coming into open conflict with each other. In so far as isolation mechanism is concerned, it
tries to keep the cultural pattern separate from other aspects of social structure. This helps in
preserving cultural patterns on the one hand and harmonious social structure on the other.
Other mechanisms of social control can be rewards, punishment for those who help maintaining
social order or in violating well established social systems and controls. There are many unplanned
mechanisms which are largely unconscious but serve to counter-act divergent tendencies. According
to him these may be divided into three categories or classes, “(a) those which tend to nip in the bud
tendencies to the development of compulsively deviant motivation before they reach the vicious circle stages;
(b) those which insolate the bearer of such motivation from influence on others; and (c) secondary defences
which are able to varying degrees, to the worse ambitious process.” Though these are other mechanisms
but their importance or significance cannot be under-estimated in any way. These help in
maintaining social order and control, particularly at times when well established mechanisms are
under heavy pressure and have either bowed down or are on the verge of complete break down.
Parsons’s theory of social control is another contribution to the field of social thought. He has
rightly pointed out that without controls there will be social disharmony and disorder. He also
rightly pointed out that in maintaining social control institutions play a very big and important
role. He has also very rightly stated that priorities should also be institutionalised or otherwise the
individuals would get involved in many conflicting demands. Without social control, no individual
will remain under checks is yet his another realistic approach to the problem of social control.
Parsons’s Positive and Negative Aspects of Social Systems
Alongwith social controls, Parsons has also developed his theory about social systems. His ideas
in this regard are available to us in his volume entitled ‘Social System’. According to him there are
five elements of social systems; namely individual actors, interaction of actors, motivation of the
inter-actions ; situations and environments connected with inter-actions and cultural relations. All
these elements are closely connected and inter-linked with each other and in fact social system is
net work of interpretative relationship.
Aspects of Social Systems : Parsons is of the view that social systems have both negative and
positive aspects. Social systems develop as a result of situations and interaction between various
individuals. As a result of interaction actors are motivated to do certain things with the result that
a particular system develops. It is known as positive aspect of social system. On the other hand in
societies there are certain activities which people wish to avoid, which usually are as a result of
some sort of interaction. Such an aspect is known as negative aspect of social system.
Parsons believed that no society could meet all the needs of the people. It is expected of every
society to at least meet basic needs of its members. As long as these basic needs are met there is no
social problem. But once these are not met then most of the people use even negative aspects of
social system. These can also be called destructive forces and exist in every society. In fact it is
more or less impossible to eliminate them.

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