The concept of the social system was first introduced by Talcott Parsons, a sociologist and functionalist who believed that societies function like human bodies. Just as the body has various organs that work together to maintain the overall health and functioning of the organism, Parsons argued that societies also have different parts that work together to maintain social order and stability.
According to Parsons, the social system is made up of four main components: the cultural system, the social structure, the personality system, and the behavioral system.
The cultural system refers to the shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape a society's way of life. It includes the system of symbols, language, and communication that allow individuals to interact and understand one another. The cultural system also includes institutions such as religion, education, and the media, which transmit cultural norms and values to future generations.
The social structure refers to the way that society is organized and the relationships between different groups and individuals. It includes the distribution of power and resources, as well as the roles and status of individuals within the society.
The personality system refers to the individual's internal psychological processes, including their beliefs, values, and motivations. It is shaped by the cultural and social systems, but also influences the behavior of the individual within those systems.
Finally, the behavioral system refers to the ways in which individuals interact with one another and with the social and cultural systems. It includes both verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as the patterns of behavior that are expected in different situations.
Parsons believed that these four systems work together to maintain social stability and order. For example, the cultural system provides the shared values and norms that guide individual behavior, while the social structure determines the roles and expectations of individuals within the society. The personality system influences an individual's behavior, while the behavioral system is the way in which individuals interact with one another and with the other systems.
Overall, Parsons' concept of the social system provides a useful framework for understanding how societies function and how they are maintained over time. It highlights the interconnectedness of different aspects of society and the importance of understanding how they work together to shape individual behavior and maintain social stability.