Instrumentality is a term used by sociologists Talcott Parsons and Robert Bales in their functionalist analysis of social roles, particularly within the family, to refer to an emphasis on tasks, a focus on more distant goals, and a concern for the external relationship between one's family and other social institutions, such as the workplace or the school system. This role is often traditionally associated with the male head of the household in a nuclear family structure, involving responsibilities such as economic provision, decision-making regarding external affairs, and maintaining the family's position within the broader social context. Instrumentality focuses on the practical and goal-oriented aspects of family functioning, ensuring that the family unit can meet its material needs and navigate its interactions with the outside world. Parsons and Bales contrasted instrumentality with expressiveness, which focuses on the emotional well-being and internal harmony of the family.