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Alvin W. Gouldner

Bio: Alvin W. Gouldner is an academic researcher from Washington University in St. Louis. The author has contributed to research in topics: Social theory & Ideology. The author has an hindex of 37, co-authored 87 publications receiving 22742 citations. Previous affiliations of Alvin W. Gouldner include University of Amsterdam & Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The notion of complementarity and reciprocity in functional theory is explored in this article, enabling a reanalysis of the concepts of "survival" and "exploitation" and the need to distinguish between complementarity, reciprocity, and the generalized moral norm of reciprocity.
Abstract: The manner in which the concept of reciprocity is implicated in functional theory is explored, enabling a reanalysis of the concepts of "survival" and "exploitation." The need to distinguish between the concepts of complementarity and reciprocity is stressed. Distinctions are also drawn between (1) reciprocity as a pattern of mutually contingent exchange of gratifications, (2) the existential or folk belief in reciprocity, and (3) the generalized moral norm of reciprocity. Reciprocity as a moral norm is analyzed; it is hypothesized that it is one of the universal "principal components" of moral codes. As Westermarck states, "To requite a benefit, or to be grateful to him who bestows it, is probably everywhere, at least under certain circumstances, regarded as a duty. This is a subject which in the present connection calls for special consideration." Ways in which the norm of reciprocity is implicated in the maintenance of stable social systems are examined.

10,277 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an investigation of singel factory seen in the light of Max Weber's theory of bureacracy is described, and a partial report, to be followed by another, is given.
Abstract: This is a study in industrial sociology; it a partial report, to be followed by another, of an investigation of singel factory seen in the light of Max Weber's theory of bureacracy.

1,656 citations

Book
01 Mar 1954
TL;DR: In this article, an investigation of singel factory seen in the light of Max Weber's theory of bureacracy is described, and a partial report, to be followed by another, is given.
Abstract: This is a study in industrial sociology; it a partial report, to be followed by another, of an investigation of singel factory seen in the light of Max Weber's theory of bureacracy.

1,585 citations

Book
01 Jan 1970
TL;DR: The coming crisis of Parsonsian theory is not comin', it has arrived as discussed by the authors, and Parsonsian theories do not equal Western sociology, despite the misconceptions communicated by its title, the book does have some merits, but these are far outweighed by its liabilities.
Abstract: An examination of the title of Alvin Gouldner' s new book, The Coming Crisis of_~e~t~~n So~i21ogv, reveals some of the things that are wrong with what one finds between the covers of the book. Despite its title, the book is not concerned with a corning crisis, nor is it concerned with ~vestern sociologv. In reality, it is focally concerned \vith the lo~l~..-~:-st!!.~dinf'l. crisis whLch has faced Pars..Q.!lsian theorv. In my view Gouldner is wrong on two points: the crisis facing Parsonsian theory is not comin~, it has arrived; and Parsonsian theory does not equal Western sociology. Despite the misconceptions tlhich are communicated by its title, the-book does have some merits, but these are far outweighed by its liabilities. Whatever its failings, the book should not simply be dismissed. I would like to underscore this by discussing its assets first before t~rnin~ to a more len~thv discu~sion on the inadequacies in Gouldner's work.

1,496 citations


Cited by
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Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that rational actors make their organizations increasingly similar as they try to change them, and describe three isomorphic processes-coercive, mimetic, and normative.
Abstract: What makes organizations so similar? We contend that the engine of rationalization and bureaucratization has moved from the competitive marketplace to the state and the professions. Once a set of organizations emerges as a field, a paradox arises: rational actors make their organizations increasingly similar as they try to change them. We describe three isomorphic processes-coercive, mimetic, and normative—leading to this outcome. We then specify hypotheses about the impact of resource centralization and dependency, goal ambiguity and technical uncertainty, and professionalization and structuration on isomorphic change. Finally, we suggest implications for theories of organizations and social change.

32,981 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of social capital is introduced and illustrated, its forms are described, the social structural conditions under which it arises are examined, and it is used in an analys...
Abstract: In this paper, the concept of social capital is introduced and illustrated, its forms are described, the social structural conditions under which it arises are examined, and it is used in an analys...

31,693 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a model is presented to account for the natural selection of what is termed reciprocally altruistic behavior, and the model shows how selection can operate against the cheater (non-reciprocator) in the system.
Abstract: A model is presented to account for the natural selection of what is termed reciprocally altruistic behavior. The model shows how selection can operate against the cheater (non-reciprocator) in the system. Three instances of altruistic behavior are discussed, the evolution of which the model can explain: (1) behavior involved in cleaning symbioses; (2) warning cries in birds; and (3) human reciprocal altruism. Regarding human reciprocal altruism, it is shown that the details of the psychological system that regulates this altruism can be explained by the model. Specifically, friendship, dislike, moralistic aggression, gratitude, sympathy, trust, suspicion, trustworthiness, aspects of guilt, and some forms of dishonesty and hypocrisy can be explained as important adaptations to regulate the altruistic system. Each individual human is seen as possessing altruistic and cheating tendencies, the expression of which is sensitive to developmental variables that were selected to set the tendencies at a balance ap...

9,318 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The recent proliferation of research on collective action frames and framing processes in relation to social movements indicates that framing processes have come to be regarded, alongside resource mobilization and political opportunity processes, as a central dynamic in understanding the character and course of social movements.
Abstract: ■ Abstract The recent proliferation of scholarship on collective action frames and framing processes in relation to social movements indicates that framing processes have come to be regarded, alongside resource mobilization and political opportunity processes, as a central dynamic in understanding the character and course of social movements. This review examines the analytic utility of the framing literature for un- derstanding social movement dynamics. We first review how collective action frames have been conceptualized, including their characteristic and variable features. We then examine the literature related to framing dynamics and processes. Next we review the literature regarding various contextual factors that constrain and facilitate framing processes. We conclude with an elaboration of the consequences of framing processes for other movement processes and outcomes. We seek throughout to provide clarifi- cation of the linkages between framing concepts/processes and other conceptual and theoretical formulations relevant to social movements, such as schemas and ideology.

7,717 citations