SOC 387- Modern sociological foundations

Talcott Parsons sought to explain how social order is possible when human beings are naturally inclined toward “optimization of gratification” (acting selfishly). How well does Parsons’ theory of structural functionalism solve the problem of social order?

Be sure in your essay, while answering this question, you:

• Analyze Parsons’ conceptualization of the action system.
• Evaluate Parsons’ action system scheme as an explanation of social order.