Whitt, Hugh P.Creech, James C.2009-05-192009-05-191983-04-01Mid-American Review of Sociology, Volume 8, Number 1 (SPRING, 1983), pp. 39-49 http://dx.doi.org/10.17161/STR.1808.4931https://hdl.handle.net/1808/4931Sociologists have often been criticized for their inability to make themselves understood. Talcott Parsons, in particular, has been singled out for his alleged incomprehensibility. As a consequence, his name has achieved legendary stature for more than his theoretical contributions. The present inquiry examines Parsons' writing style using the Gunning fog index of readability, finding that Parsons was indeed unintelligible as a writer. Moreover, it was discovered, serendipitously, that a postive feedback loop was operating (i.e., with one exception, Parsons became more unintelligible with each new book).enCopyright (c) Social Thought and Research. For rights questions please contact Editor, Department of Sociology, Social Thought and Research, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045.Article10.17161/STR.1808.4931openAccess