Social Theories

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Social Theories

Mill and Gerth’s theory of society of character and social structure generally encompasses the terms of character structure, components of social culture and the works of social psychology (Hamilton 22). On the other hand, Znaniecki defines sociology as a study of social actions which recommends methodology as analytical induction. He further analyzes sociology as a cultural science whose function is to study systems of social interactions based on specific patterns. These patterns concern the values and norms of behavior through the use of the humanistic coefficient. This paper thus deals with analyzing the similarities and differences between the theories of Mill and Gerth’s with those of Znaniecki’s theory about sociology theory as well as bringing out the clear classifications of the societies (Hamilton 22).

Mills and Gerth’s Classification of Societies

Involves reference to institutions, institutional order, and spheres. Under institutional order, institutions are classified as political, economic, kinship and religious institutions.

Political order: these are institutions which persons acquire power and authority within the social structure. The society gives some certain individuals the right and authority to govern them in the way the former prefers. The people are given the instruments of power and decide on the direction of the society.

Economic order: they are characterized by the organization of labor, resources in distribution of goods and resources. The economic order is well illustrated in the industrial world whereby the different components of production are brought together to give out an outcome (output) which fetches revenue.

Kinship order: they are the organizations which contribute to the regulation and facilitation of legitimate sexual intercourse and early childbearing.

Religious order: they are the type of institutions which organize the collective worship of God at regular and specific occasions.

Institutions

Institutions reforms the persons by effectively shaping their roles in an institutional framework producing character traits. As per Mill and Gerth, individual’s psychological traits are shaped by specific contexts (Seidman 45). As per Mill and Gerth’s theory of premiums and traits is split into four units as described below.

A general trait which is greatly dominated into a person’s character.

A specific trait that is assumed to slowly spread and turn into a general trait.

A general trait that is presumed to become a specific trait with time.

A specific trait that is presumed to remain as a specific trait.

Symbol Sphere

It clearly defines the situations a person confronts socially. Roles can be rejected or accepted by the use of symbols and thus provide a reference for the person. They are briefly discussed by Mill and Gerth in six broad contexts:

The use of vocabulary leads to the formation of different social strata.

Different economic activities by various groups lead to the formation of obscure trade.

Leads to specialized jargons which are only understood by specific members.

In political order, the symbols may be either visual or auditory.

Military and political orders spheres are merged in the modern national state.

In religious order, the deployment of spheres is essential as it displays the contents of worship.

Znaniecki Classification of Society

According to Znaniecki, sociology is analyzed into four categories which include, social acts, social relations, social groups, and social personalities (Denzin 34). Znanecki has also defined four types of character and personality which are; the active man, the industrious man, the disciplined, and the deviant man.

Social act: states that actions are social not because they conform to norms but because they deal with human beings with whom the agents react as conscious objects and with an intent to influence.

Social relation: for there to be social relations there must be at least two people and a platform.

Social groups: this refers to any group which people use to identify themselves with

Social personalities: they are usually created under influence of social movements.

Similarities Between the Theories

In both theories, the role of conscious agents is emphasized. That is objects and the actions of others. Also, these theories have categorized social agents into four different categories specifying human traits. Additionally in both theories, there is great emphasis on social orientation as it pertains to the way of life.

Differences Between the Theories.

Mills and Gerth’s theory of society of character and social structure generally encompasses the terms of a component of character structure, components of social structure and the works of social psychology while Znaniecki defines sociology as a study of social actions.

The institutions are said to form the persons by shaping their roles in the institutional framework as per Znaniecki’s modern nationalities theory while in Mill and Gerth’s theory, psychological traits are shaped by specific context.

According to Zinanecki, sociology concerns itself with only one kind of cultural system that is social and not any other cultural system such as economic, religious, political, kinship and military as it is in the Mill and Gerth’s theory.

Mill and Gerth’s theory have dwelt much on organizations and institutions while Zinanencki has dwelt much on individuals.

Works Cited

Denzin, Norman K. The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods. Routledge, 2017.

Hamilton, Peter. Knowledge and Social Structure (RLE Social Theory): An Introduction to the Classical Argument in the Sociology of Knowledge. Routledge, 2014.

Seidman, Steven. Contested knowledge: Social theory today. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.