Social Change in Talcott Parsons’ Theory (System Perspective)

(Notion-compatible | UPSC Sociology friendly)

1️⃣ Core Proposition

For Talcott Parsons, social change is evolutionary, systemic and equilibrium-oriented, not revolutionary.

Change occurs when the social system adapts to increasing complexity while maintaining normative integration.

He explains this through two interlinked processes:

Adaptation through Structural Differentiation

Integration through Value Generalization

2️⃣ Adaptation through Structural Differentiation

Meaning

• Structural differentiation refers to the process by which one generalized structure splits into multiple specialized structures.
• Each new structure performs a more specific function, improving system efficiency and adaptability.

Why Adaptation?

• As society becomes more complex (population growth, economic expansion, technological change),
• Old undifferentiated institutions become functionally inadequate.

Examples

➡️ Outcome:

• Higher functional specialization