社会体系-その概念・モデル・測定

1. It would be a theoretical presumption to many sociologists and social psychologists that our societies are not formless but have certain organized pattern. But, on the other hand, there would be various possibilities from what theoretical framework those organized pattern should be abstracted. In this paper, let us think on this point that the societies are not formless because of some pattern uniformities, not randomness, in our interpersonal overt behaviors ; the interpersonal behaviors are observable manifest variables, so all constructive concepts of sociology and social psychology can be inferred from them. <BR>2. On the external objective point of view, a concept that is inferred from the more or less consistent order is what we call the “social system.” Against this, on the internal subjective point of view of motivated individuals, a concept that is inferred from pattern uniformities is what we call the “attitude”. Both social system and attitude are the scientific construct inferred from observable manifest valiables of interpersonal behaviors, and they must be distinguished from each other in terms of object-subject criteria. <BR>3. What is called a “system” is as follows : its two or more units or factors are mutually interdependent such that any change in state of one unit or factor xj is followed by change in state of others x₁, …, xi_-1, Xi₊₁, …, xn and the latter is followed again by change in the former and so on. Thus, when we apply this to behabioral units or factors we can speak of the social system that shows the relationship within social objects. <BR>4. We find a series of sociological theories which adopt this concept. In the case of classical Pareto's theory, the social system was considered to be a state of dynamic equilibrium in cycles of interdependence of four factors : a. residues ; b. interests ; c. derivations ; d. social heterogeneity and circulation. Closely related to this theory we can find George C. Horman's theory. He defines the social system as composed of two analytical aspects (i.e., external system and internal system) and three composite factors (i.e., activities, interactions, and sentiments). Therefore, these two I shall name “Pareto-Homans model” of the social system. Pareto's is a priori model, but Homans' is, so to call it, ex post facto model for codification. <BR>5. Tolcott Parsons' famous theory of the social system rests on the same basis, yet the main feature that characterizes his theory lies in the categorization in terms of combinations of five (or recently, chiefly four) “pattern variables”. This way of thinking is akin to that of Allen H. Bartons' “property space.” Combinations of pattern variables are not merely setting of typology but indicate the “phase movement” and the role-differentiation in action space. This Theory, putting its empirical. reference to Robert F. Bales' interaction process analysis, I call “Parsons-Bales model, ” which, as attempt to theorize more than is empirically known, can be termed speculative model. <BR>6. Above two models will be both able to be characterized as a kind of model of dynamic equilbrium. This model always needs some a priori theoretical postulates : that is, automatic control mechanism or feedback system. Because of this postulate, if we are to make use of this model to our empirical reality, the problem of conceptual validity will arise. Strongly contrasted to this model would be the concept of “mass” society.