Describe main features of social system as discussed by Talcolt Parsons.

Main Features of Social System as Discussed by Talcolt Parsons.

Talcolt Parsons, an American Sociologist, was the main exponent of the social system theory. The main features of his system theory may be discussed in brief as follows :

1. The social system is made up of the interaction between two or more actors called Ego and Alter.

2. During the process of interaction, each member is an actor as well as an object of orientation for other actors and for himself.

3. Actors in the interaction process are oriented towards a goal or set of goals.

4. The actors are confronted with a variety of situational conditions as societal environments and ecological constraints.

5. The actor's orientation to the situation is both motivational and value-oriented.