pattern variable

English

Etymology

Coined by Talcott Parsons (1902–1979), American sociologist.

Noun

pattern variable (plural pattern variables)

1. (sociology) Any of a set of contrasting pairs of characteristics said to be associated with various kinds of social interaction: affectivity – affective neutrality; self-orientation – collectivity-orientation; universalism – particularism; ascription – achievement; and specificity – diffusity.