The 54th president of the American Sociological Association, George C. Homans, fundamentally reshaped behavioral sociology by applying principles of utility and reinforcement to explain human social interaction. A member of the Harvard faculty for decades, he bridged the gap between diverse intellectual traditions, creating theories that suggested humans share universal behavioral patterns regardless of their specific cultural backgrounds.
Early Education and Literary Aspirations
Born in Boston in 1910, Homans was a direct descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. He attended the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and St. Paul's School before entering Harvard College in 1928. Initially concentrating on English and American literature, he harbored ambitions of becoming a poet and served on the editorial board of The Harvard Advocate. The Great Depression disrupted his early career plans, as an expected position at the Emporia Gazette failed to materialize.
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Homans transitioned into sociology through the mentorship of Lawrence Joseph Henderson and the influence of the Pareto Circle. He explored the works of Bronisław Malinowski and Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, eventually arguing that social similarities across cultures stemmed from universal human nature. During a junior fellowship at Harvard, he conducted an anthropological study of 13th-century England, published in 1941. This work, alongside his early writing on Pareto, helped define his interest in the mechanics of human group interaction.
Military Service and Post-War Scholarship
During World War II, Homans served five years in the U.S. Navy, spending over two years commanding small ships engaged in antisubmarine warfare and convoy escort duties. Following his return to academia, he held various positions at Harvard University, ultimately becoming a full professor of sociology in 1953. His research during this period, including the development of social exchange theory, integrated the Skinnerian concepts of reinforcement with economic utility theories.
Distinctions and Legacy
Throughout his career, Homans served as a visiting professor at the University of Manchester, the University of Kent, and Cambridge University, where he also earned a master's degree in 1955. His service to the field included his 1964 presidency of the American Sociological Association and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He was recognized for his academic contributions in 1988 with the W.E.B. Du Bois Career of Distinguished Scholarship award.
Fast facts
- Born: 1910, Boston
- Died: 1989, Cambridge
- Education: Harvard College, Harvard University, University of Cambridge
- Professional Affiliation: Harvard University
- President of American Sociological Association: 1964
- W.E.B. Du Bois Career of Distinguished Scholarship Award: 1988
- Burial Site: Vine Lake Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What is social exchange theory?
It is a framework Homans helped develop that posits social behavior is a result of an exchange process where individuals maximize benefits and minimize costs, blending Skinnerian reinforcement with utility theory.
Did Homans hold a Ph.D.?
No, he did not receive a Ph.D. His work, including his study of 13th-century English villages, served as the basis for his scholarly contributions without a traditional doctoral degree.
Achievements
- Held posts at Harvard University
