ABSTRACT
Following the stages of development of his own thought, Parsons' theory concerns two basic levels, that of the ego-alter role behaviour (microfunctionalism), and that of the social system in general (macrofunctionalism). The basic logic of explanation, however, is the same on both levels; it follows the formula that what is the end of action for one subject of interaction (actor or a social subsystem), is the means for fulfilling an end of another subject of interaction (another actor or another social subsystem), and vice versa. This type of interaction is seen by Parsons as the basic process of integration of the social system.
