Social Behavior: Contrasting Theoretical Perspectives
Parsons and Homans hold contrasting theories on social behavior that impact their views
on social change. Moral cohesion of society drives Parsons’ belief that an individual’s behavioral
purpose is to ensure that social stability is maintained by working together as units of society.
Parsons further conceptualizes action into three modes: social systems, personality systems, and
cultural systems. Systems represent society and explain how social behavior is organized. For
example, the cultural system includes the values, norms, and symbols that establish boundaries
of social behavior. Such values, norms, and symbols impact an individual’s actions at a
conscious and unconscious level – from a regional impact on a favorite dessert to a religious
influence on marriage.
On the contrary, Homans denies the existence of social systems, as Homan’s approach to
action and social life is admittedly individualistic and exchange oriented. Homans argues that
social behavior is rooted in behavioral psychology, which guides the exchange of rewards and
punishments. He describes structures as providing new conditions to which the exchange of
rewards and punishment is applied. No matter what environment a person is in, the individual
acts with the same fundamental goal in mind, which is maximizing rewards and minimizing
costs. For example, if one is asked on a date, one will decide if the pros (rewards) outweigh the
cons (costs) when making a decision. According to Homans’ exchange theory, social behavior
will avoid costs to reap rewards, so if there are more cons to going on the date than there are
pros, one’s answer will be no.
An interesting difference between the theorists is how they believe interaction among
social actors is sustained and changed over time. For Parsons, social order is an intentional result
of structural functionalism. For example, the needs of personality work with the available
resources in the social system and cultural values and norms. Though some argue that structural
functionalism holds “static” views of social order, Parsons clarifies that social action changes
due to environmental conditions, as, ideally, patterns of interaction continue to fulfill socially
required needs. For Homans, social order is an unintentional consequence of social exchange
theory, in which interaction is maintained through either repeated exchanges, and thus social
stability, or a behavior change, and thus social change. While both theorists admit social change
exists, Homan’s exchange theory attributes the change to individual decision-making, whereas
Parsons attributes change to individuals responding to environmental conditions and social
needs.
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