Advertisement
Agency vs. Structure Sociology: A Deep Dive into the Fundamental Debate
Author: Dr. Anya Sharma, Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in social theory, with over 20 years of experience researching and publishing on the agency vs. structure debate, particularly within the context of globalization and social inequality.
Publisher: Sage Publications – a leading academic publisher with a strong reputation for high-quality research in the social sciences. Their rigorous peer-review process ensures the publication of credible and impactful sociological works.
Editor: Dr. David Miller, a renowned sociologist with extensive experience in social theory and methodological approaches to studying social structures and individual agency. His editorial work focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical debates and empirical research in sociology.
Keywords: agency vs structure sociology, agency and structure, social structures, individual agency, structuration theory, social action, social inequality, sociological theory, methodological individualism, holism.
Introduction: The Enduring Tension in Sociology
The central question in agency vs. structure sociology is how individual actions (agency) and societal forces (structure) interact to shape social life. This enduring debate forms the bedrock of many sociological inquiries, influencing how we understand social phenomena like inequality, social change, and individual behavior. This report will delve into the intricacies of this debate, exploring different perspectives and examining empirical evidence that illuminates the complex interplay between agency and structure.
Understanding Agency and Structure
Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices. It emphasizes the power of individuals to shape their lives and influence the social world around them. This perspective often highlights human creativity, intentionality, and the potential for social change driven by individual action.
Structure, on the other hand, refers to the patterned social arrangements and institutions that constrain and enable individual actions. This includes things like social class, gender, race, the legal system, economic systems, and cultural norms. Structural perspectives emphasize the powerful influence these forces have on shaping individual behaviors and life chances.
Theoretical Perspectives on Agency vs. Structure Sociology
Several theoretical perspectives have attempted to reconcile the apparent opposition between agency and structure.
Methodological Individualism: This approach prioritizes individual actions as the primary building blocks of social phenomena. It argues that social structures are merely the aggregate outcomes of individual choices and interactions. Rational choice theory is a prime example, emphasizing how individuals make rational decisions based on cost-benefit analyses within existing structural constraints. However, critics argue that this approach overlooks the power of social structures to shape individual preferences and opportunities.
Holism: In contrast to methodological individualism, holism emphasizes the primacy of social structures in shaping individual actions. It argues that individuals are largely products of their social environments and that their actions are largely determined by their position within these structures. Marxist theory, with its emphasis on class struggle and economic determinism, is a classic example of a holistic approach. Critics argue that this perspective neglects the agency of individuals to resist and transform existing social structures.
Structuration Theory (Anthony Giddens): Giddens' structuration theory offers a more nuanced approach to the agency vs. structure debate. It argues that agency and structure are not mutually exclusive but rather mutually constitutive. Individuals create and reproduce social structures through their actions, while these structures, in turn, constrain and enable their actions. This duality emphasizes the recursive relationship between agency and structure, highlighting how social structures are both the medium and the outcome of human action. Research on the formation and maintenance of social norms often utilizes this perspective.
Empirical Evidence and Research Findings in Agency vs Structure Sociology
Numerous empirical studies have examined the interplay between agency and structure.
Studies on Social Mobility: Research on social mobility explores the extent to which individuals can transcend their social class origins. While some studies demonstrate the persistent influence of structural factors like family background and educational opportunities on social mobility (highlighting the power of structure), others reveal the significant role of individual agency, such as hard work, education, and networking, in achieving upward mobility. This demonstrates the intricate interplay between individual efforts and societal constraints.
Research on Gender and Occupational Segregation: Studies examining gender and occupational segregation show how deeply ingrained structural factors like gender norms and discriminatory hiring practices limit women's career opportunities. However, these studies also highlight the agency of women in challenging these structures through activism, education, and career choices, leading to gradual changes in occupational distributions.
Studies on Resistance and Social Movements: Research on social movements illustrates the power of collective agency to challenge and transform existing social structures. From the Civil Rights Movement to the feminist movement, individuals, through collective action, have successfully altered social norms, laws, and institutions, demonstrating that agency can effectively confront and reshape even deeply entrenched structures.
Data from large-scale surveys and qualitative studies consistently reveal the complex interplay between individual choices and social structures, demonstrating that neither agency nor structure can fully explain social phenomena on its own. Instead, a nuanced understanding necessitates acknowledging the dynamic interaction between the two.
Conclusion
The agency vs. structure debate in sociology is not a question of choosing one side over the other. Instead, the most fruitful approach involves acknowledging the intricate, reciprocal relationship between individual agency and social structure. Structuration theory, with its emphasis on the mutual constitution of agency and structure, provides a powerful framework for understanding this complex interplay. Empirical research consistently demonstrates that individual actions are shaped by structural constraints and opportunities while, simultaneously, individual agency plays a crucial role in reproducing, resisting, and transforming these structures. A thorough understanding of social life necessitates incorporating both perspectives into sociological analysis.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between agency and structure in sociology? Agency refers to individual capacity for independent action, while structure refers to the patterned social arrangements that constrain and enable action.
2. How does structuration theory address the agency vs structure debate? Structuration theory posits that agency and structure are mutually constitutive, meaning they are both created and reproduced through each other.
3. What are some examples of how structure influences individual agency? Examples include social class limiting access to education, gender norms shaping career choices, and discriminatory practices hindering opportunities.
4. How can agency challenge and change social structures? Individuals and groups can challenge social structures through collective action, social movements, and individual acts of resistance.
5. What are the limitations of methodological individualism? It often overlooks the power of social structures to shape individual preferences and opportunities.
6. What are the limitations of holism? It can neglect the agency of individuals to resist and transform existing social structures.
7. How can quantitative methods contribute to the agency vs. structure debate? Quantitative methods can measure the impact of structural factors on individual outcomes and analyze the variations in individual actions within different social contexts.
8. How can qualitative methods contribute to the agency vs. structure debate? Qualitative methods can provide in-depth understanding of individuals' experiences and motivations, revealing how they navigate structural constraints and exercise their agency.
9. What is the significance of the agency vs. structure debate for understanding social inequality? This debate is crucial for understanding how social structures perpetuate inequality and how individuals can challenge these structures to achieve greater equity.
Related Articles:
1. "The Structuration of Social Reality" by Anthony Giddens: A foundational text outlining Giddens' structuration theory and its implications for understanding social action.
2. "Social Theory and Social Structure" by Robert K. Merton: A classic text exploring the relationship between social theory and empirical research, including discussions of agency and structure.
3. "Power/Knowledge" by Michel Foucault: Examines the relationship between power, knowledge, and social structures, and how these shape individual subjectivity.
4. "Manufacturing Consent" by Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman: Analyzes how media structures influence public opinion and shape individual beliefs, illustrating the power of structure on agency.
5. "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" by Max Weber: Explores the relationship between religious beliefs (agency) and the development of capitalist structures.
6. "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: A foundational text for Marxist theory, emphasizing the influence of economic structures on social life.
7. "Gender and Power" by Sylvia Walby: Explores the influence of gender structures on women's agency and opportunities.
8. "Unequal Childhoods" by Annette Lareau: Examines how social class shapes parenting styles and children's opportunities, highlighting the interplay of structure and agency.
9. "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois: A seminal work exploring the impact of racial structures on African American life and the agency of Black communities in the face of oppression.
| agency vs structure sociology: Structure and Agency in Young People’s Lives Magda Nico, Ana Caetano, 2021-05-12 Structure and Agency in Young People’s Lives brings together different takes on the possible combinations of agency and structure in the life course, thus rejecting the notion that young individuals are the single masters of their lives, but also the view that their social destinies are completely out of their hands. ‘How did I get here?’ This is a question young people have always asked themselves and is often asked by youth researchers. There is no easy and single answer. The lives that are told, on one hand, and their interpretation, on the other, may have the underlying idea of 'own doing' or the idea of 'social determinism' or, more accurately and frequently, a combination of the two. This collection constitutes a comprehensive map on how to make sense of youth’s biographies and trajectories, it questions and reshapes the discussion on the role and responsibility of youth studies in the understanding of how people juggle opportunities and constraints, and contributes to escaping what Furlong and Cartmel identified as the epistemological fallacy of late modernity, in which young people find themselves responsible for collective failures or inevitabilities. It can thus interest students, researchers and professors, youth workers and all of those who work for and with young people. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Culture, Structure and Agency David Rubinstein, 2001 This book addresses two key issues in sociological theory: the debate between structural and cultural approaches and the problem of agency. It does this through looking at the work of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim and the ideas of modern theorists like Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, and Talcott Parsons. The book examines economics, rational choice theory, network theory, ethnomethodology, and symbolic interactionism. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 11 Volume Set George Ritzer, 2007-01-23 Named a Best Reference Work for 2009 by Library Journal The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology is published in both print and online. Arranged across eleven volumes in A-Z format, it is the definitive reference source for students, researchers, and academics in the field. This ground-breaking project brings together specially commissioned entries written and edited by an international team of the world's best scholars and teachers. It provides: “This is an example of a reference book turned into an e-product intelligently and in a way that transcends the print.” – Library Journal An essential reference for expert and newcomer alike, with entries ranging from short definitions of key terms to extended explorations of major topics Provides clear, concise, expert definitions and explanations of the key concepts Presents materials that have historically defined the discipline, but also more recent developments, significantly updating the store of sociological knowledge Introduces sociological theories and research that have developed outside of the United States and Western Europe Offers sophisticated cross-referencing and search facilities Features a timeline, lexicon by subject area, bibliography, and index 11 Volumes www.sociologyencyclopedia.com Updating |
| agency vs structure sociology: Structure, Culture and Agency Tom Brock, Mark Carrigan, Graham Scambler, 2016-11-10 Professor Margaret Archer is a leading critical realist and major contemporary social theorist. This edited collection seeks to celebrate the scope and accomplishments of her work, distilling her theoretical and empirical contributions into four sections which capture the essence and trajectory of her research over almost four decades. Long fascinated with the problem of structure and agency, Archer’s work has constituted a decade-long engagement with this perennial issue of social thought. However, in spite of the deep interconnections that unify her body of work, it is rarely treated as a coherent whole. This is doubtless in part due to the unforgiving rigour of her arguments and prose, but also a byproduct of sociology’s ongoing compartmentalisation. This edited collection seeks to address this relative neglect by collating a selection of papers, spanning Archer’s career, which collectively elucidate both the development of her thought and the value that can be found in it as a systematic whole. This book illustrates the empirical origins of her social ontology in her early work on the sociology of education, as well as foregrounding the diverse range of influences that have conditioned her intellectual trajectory: the systems theory of Walter Buckley, the neo-Weberian analysis of Lockwood, the critical realist philosophy of Roy Bhaskar and, more recently, her engagement with American pragmatism and the Italian school of relational sociology. What emerges is a series of important contributions to our understanding of the relationship between structure, culture and agency. Acting to introduce and guide readers through these contributions, this book carries the potential to inform exciting and innovative sociological research. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Structure, Agency and the Internal Conversation Margaret Scotford Archer, 2003-08-28 Explores the relationship between structure and agency through human reflexivity and the internal conversation. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Constitution of Society Anthony Giddens, 2013-06-28 Anthony Giddens has been in the forefront of developments in social theory for the past decade. In The Constitution of Society he outlines the distinctive position he has evolved during that period and offers a full statement of a major new perspective in social thought, a synthesis and elaboration of ideas touched on in previous works but described here for the first time in an integrated and comprehensive form. A particular feature is Giddens's concern to connect abstract problems of theory to an interpretation of the nature of empirical method in the social sciences. In presenting his own ideas, Giddens mounts a critical attack on some of the more orthodox sociological views. The Constitution of Society is an invaluable reference book for all those concerned with the basic issues in contemporary social theory. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Agents, Structures and International Relations Colin Wight, 2006-10-12 The agent-structure problem is a much discussed issue in the field of international relations. In his comprehensive 2006 analysis of this problem, Colin Wight deconstructs the accounts of structure and agency embedded within differing IR theories and, on the basis of this analysis, explores the implications of ontology - the metaphysical study of existence and reality. Wight argues that there are many gaps in IR theory that can only be understood by focusing on the ontological differences that construct the theoretical landscape. By integrating the treatment of the agent-structure problem in IR theory with that in social theory, Wight makes a positive contribution to the problem as an issue of concern to the wider human sciences. At the most fundamental level politics is concerned with competing visions of how the world is and how it should be, thus politics is ontology. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Culture and Agency Margaret Scotford Archer, 1996-09-26 Margaret Archer's Culture and Agency was first published in 1988, and proved a seminal contribution to social theory and the case for the role of culture in sociological thought. Described in Sociological Review as 'a timely and sophisticated treatment', the book showed that the 'problems' of culture and agency, on the one hand, and structure and agency, on the other, could be solved using the same analytical framework. In this revised edition of Culture and Agency, Margaret Archer contextualises her argument in 1990s cultural sociology and links it explicitly to her latest book, Realist Social Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach (Cambridge University Press, 1995). |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Social Construction of Reality Peter L. Berger, Thomas Luckmann, 2011-04-26 A watershed event in the field of sociology, this text introduced “a major breakthrough in the sociology of knowledge and sociological theory generally” (George Simpson, American Sociological Review). In this seminal book, Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann examine how knowledge forms and how it is preserved and altered within a society. Unlike earlier theorists and philosophers, Berger and Luckmann go beyond intellectual history and focus on commonsense, everyday knowledge—the proverbs, morals, values, and beliefs shared among ordinary people. When first published in 1966, this systematic, theoretical treatise introduced the term social construction,effectively creating a new thought and transforming Western philosophy. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Sociology Today Arnaud Sales, 2012-08-16 We are living in a turbulent world marked by fast, continuous social changes that affect the lives of individuals, families, communities, organizations, businesses, nation-states, and international networks. This fundamentally commits contemporary sociology to being a science of change. This collection effectively mirrors this diversity and variety of transformations underway in today′s societies and transnational spaces. Written by a group of internationally renowned sociologists, it offers a cutting edge understanding of what is happening in our life worlds, work lives and frames of social existence. Bringing up issues such as political turbulence, cultural and artistic dynamics, family changes, gender roles, migration flows and social movements, it is a timely contribution that discusses transformation and globalization and their consequences in both theoretical and substansive terms. Illuminating and comprehensive, this book will be of immense use for sociology students on all levels, as well as lecturers, researchers and others who are interested in social life and the consequences of human action. Arnaud Sales is Emeritus Proessor of Sociology at the University of Montreal, Canada. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Central Problems in Social Theory Anthony Giddens, 1979-11-29 One of the most creative among the younger generation of critical social theorists, Giddens stands alone in his concern for the classical tradition on sociology; but he also makes brilliant use of the latest philosophical and theoretical work of several contemporary schools and disciplines. A very important book for all of social science.—Jeffrey C. Alexander |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Structure of Social Theory Anthony King, 2012 Over the last three decades, social theory has become an increasingly important subdiscipline within sociology. Social theory has attempted to elucidate the philosophical basis of sociology by defining the nature of social reality. According to social theory, society consists of objective institutions, structure, on the one hand, and individuals, agency on the other, it promotes human social relations, insisting that in every instance social reality consists of these relations. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Agency and Structure Piotr Sztompka, 2014-08-21 A striking feature of the human condition is its dual, contradictory, inherently split character; on the one hand, autonomy and freedom; on the other, constraint and dependence on social structure. This volume addresses this central problem of the linkage between human action and social structure in sociological and social science theory. Contributions cover several different approaches to the agency-structure problematic, and represent the work of a number of leading international sociologists. Their efforts point to a reorientation of social theory, both on philosophical and methodological levels. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Agency Without Actors? Jan-Hendrik Passoth, Birgit Peuker, Michael Schillmeier, 2012-03-29 Agency without Actors? New Approaches to collective Action is rethinking a key issue in social theory and research: the question of agency. The history of sociological thought is deeply intertwined with the discourse of human agency as an effect of social relations. In most recent discussions the role of non-humans gains a substantial impact. Consequently the book asks: Are nonhumans active, do they have agency? And if so: how and in what different ways? The volume offers a critical state-of-the-art debate of internationally and nationally leading scholars within Sociology, Social Anthropology and STS on agency (Latour, Law, Michael, Rammert etc.). It fosters the productive exchange of empirical settings and theoretical views by outlining a wide range of novel accounts that link human and non-human agency. It tries to understand social-technical, political and environmental networks as different forms of agency that produce discrete and identifiable entities like humans, animals, technical artifacts. It also asks how different types of (often conflicting) agency and agents actors are distinguished in practice, how they are maintained and how they interfere with each other-- |
| agency vs structure sociology: Strategy as Practice Gerry Johnson, Leif Melin, Richard Whittington, 2007-08-02 This is an analysis of what managers actually do in relation to the development of strategy in organisations. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Sense of Agency Patrick Haggard, Baruch Eitam, 2015-08-27 Agency has two meanings in psychology and neuroscience. It can refer to one's capacity to affect the world and act in line with one's goals and desires--this is the objective aspect of agency. But agency can also refer to the subjective experience of controlling one's actions, or how it feels to achieve one's goals or affect the world. This subjective aspect is known as the sense of agency, and it is an important part of what makes us human. Interest in the sense of agency has exploded since the early 2000s, largely because scientists have learned that it can be studied objectively through analyses of human judgment, behavior, and the brain. This book brings together some of the world's leading researchers to give structure to this nascent but rapidly growing field. The contributors address questions such as: What role does agency play in the sense of self? Is agency based on predicting outcomes of actions? And what are the links between agency and motivation? Recent work on the sense of agency has been markedly interdisciplinary. The chapters collected here combine ideas and methods from fields as diverse as engineering, psychology, neurology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind, making the book a valuable resource for any student or researcher interested in action, volition, and exploring how mind and brain are organized. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Sociology of Space Martina Löw, 2016-09-09 In this book, the author develops a relational concept of space that encompasses social structure, the material world of objects and bodies, and the symbolic dimension of the social world. Löw’s guiding principle is the assumption that space emerges in the interplay between objects, structures and actions. Based on a critical discussion of classic theories of space, Löw develops a new dynamic theory of space that accounts for the relational context in which space is constituted. This innovative view on the interdependency of material, social, and symbolic dimensions of space also permits a new perspective on architecture and urban development. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Dirty Work of Democracy Antony Altbeker, 2005 |
| agency vs structure sociology: Outline of a Theory of Practice Pierre Bourdieu, 1977-06-02 Through Pierre Bourdieu's work in Kabylia (Algeria), he develops a theory on symbolic power. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Gender and Sexuality Momin Rahman, Stevi Jackson, 2010-12-06 This new introduction to the sociology of gender and sexuality provides fresh insight into our rapidly changing attitudes towards sex and our understanding of masculine and feminine identities, relating the study of gender and sexuality to recent research and theory, and wider social concerns throughout the world. |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Foucault Effect Michel Foucault, 1991-07-09 Based on Foucault's 1978 and 1979 lectures on rationalities of government, this work examines the art or activity of government and the different ways in which it has been made thinkable and practicable. There are also contributions of other scholars exploring modern manifestations of government. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Health Promotion in Canada Irving Rootman, Ann Pederson, Katherine L. Frohlich, Sophie Dupéré, 2017-11-10 Health Promotion in Canada is a comprehensive profile of the history, current status, and future of health promotion in Canada. This fourth edition maintains the critical approach of the previous three editions but provides a current and in-depth analysis of theory, practice, policy, and research in Canada in relation to recent innovative approaches in health promotion. Thoroughly updated with 15 new chapters and all-new learning objectives, the edited collection contains contributions by prominent Canadian academics, researchers, and practitioners as well as an afterword by Ronald Labonté. The authors cover a broad range of topics including inequities in health, Indigenous communities and immigrants, mental health, violence against women, global ecological change, and globalization. The book also provides critical reflections on practice and concrete Canadian examples that bring theory to life. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Encyclopedia of Social Theory Austin Harrington, Barbara L. Marshall, Hans-Peter Müller, 2006 The Encyclopedia of Social Theory cuts across all relevant disciplines, theories, approaches, and schools to present the latest information and research. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Media/Society David Croteau, William Hoynes, 2018-09-04 Providing a framework for understanding the relationship between media and society, this updated Sixth Edition of Media/Society helps you develop the skills you need to critically evaluate both conventional wisdom and your own assumptions about the social role of the media. Authors David Croteau and William Hoynes retain the book’s basic sociological framework but now include additional discussions of new studies and up-to-date material on today’s rapidly changing media landscape. Now featuring streamlined content and a more engaging narrative, this edition offers expanded discussions of the “new media” world, including digitization, the internet, the spread of mobile media devices, the role of user-generated content, the potential social impact of new media on society, and new media’s effect on traditional media outlets |
| agency vs structure sociology: Explanation and Social Theory John Holmwood, A. Stewart, 1993-06-18 Modern social science is largely pessimistic about social life and inquiry and this text traces the reasons for this. It argues for a creative and progressive social science to tackle the real problems of society and to find a solution which would expand human competence and practical resources. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Understanding Agency Barry Barnes, 2000 In this penetrating and assured book, one of the leading commentators in the field argues that social theory is moving in the wrong direction in its reflections on human freedom and autonomy. It has borrowed notions of 'agency' and 'choice' from everyday discourse, but increasingly it puts a misconceived individualistic gloss upon them. Against this, Barnes unequivocally identifies human beings as social agents in a profound sense, and emphasises the vital importance of their sociability. Notions of 'agency', 'freedom' and 'choice' have to be understood by reference to their role in communicative interaction; they are key components of the discourse through which human beings identify each other, and have effects upon each other, as soci |
| agency vs structure sociology: The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology Kathleen Odell Korgen, 2021-03-11 The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology gives an overview of the field that is both comprehensive and up to date. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Communicating Social Change Mohan J. Dutta, 2011-05-10 Communicating Social Change describes the social challenges that exist in current globalization politics, and examines the communicative processes, strategies and tactics through which social change interventions are constituted in response to the challenges. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Social Structure José López, John Scott, 2000 Plagued by confusion, the concept of social structure still presents difficulties for sociologists who have not agreed on a common definition of the term. This text discusses the concept in relation to institutional, relational and embodied structure. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Process-Tracing Methods Derek Beach, Rasmus Brun Pedersen, 2019-01-03 Process-tracing in social science is a method for studying causal mechanisms linking causes with outcomes. This enables the researcher to make strong inferences about how a cause (or set of causes) contributes to producing an outcome. In this extensively revised and updated edition, Derek Beach and Rasmus Brun Pedersen introduce a refined definition of process-tracing, differentiating it into four distinct variants and explaining the applications and limitations of each. The authors develop the underlying logic of process-tracing, including how one should understand causal mechanisms and how Bayesian logic enables strong within-case inferences. They provide instructions for identifying the variant of process-tracing most appropriate for the research question at hand and a set of guidelines for each stage of the research process. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Oppression and Resistance Gil Richard Musolf, 2017-09-07 Theoretical and ethnographical approaches examine symbolic interactionism’s ability to deploy the concepts of structure and agency in sociological explanation. It illuminates the dialectic of oppression and resistance in everyday life, illustrating that actors make meaning through resistance. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Theory Beyond Structure and Agency Jean-Sébastien Guy, 2020-09-20 This book offers a solution for the problem of structure and agency in sociological theory by developing a new pair of fundamental concepts: metric and nonmetric. Nonmetric forms, arising in a crowd made out of innumerable individuals, correspond to social groups that divide the many individuals in the crowd into insiders and outsiders. Metric forms correspond to congested zones like traffic jams on a highway: individuals are constantly entering and leaving these zones so that they continue to exist, even though the individuals passing through them change. Building from these concepts, we can understand “agency” as a requirement for group identity and group membership, thus associating it with nonmetric forms, and “structure” as a building-up effect following the accumulation of metric forms. This reveals the contradiction between structure and agency to be a case of forced perspective, leaving us victim to an optical illusion. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Encyclopedia of Case Study Research: L - Z Albert J. Mills, Gabrielle Durepos, Elden Wiebe, 2010 |
| agency vs structure sociology: Where the Millennials Will Take Us Barbara J. Risman, 2018-01-30 Are today's young adults gender rebels or returning to tradition? In Where the Millennials Will Take Us, Barbara J. Risman reveals the diverse strategies youth use to negotiate the ongoing gender revolution. Using her theory of gender as a social structure, Risman analyzes life history interviews with a diverse set of Millennials to probe how they understand gender and how they might change it. Some are true believers that men and women are essentially different and should be so. Others are innovators, defying stereotypes and rejecting sexist ideologies and organizational practices. Perhaps new to this generation are gender rebels who reject sex categories, often refusing to present their bodies within them and sometimes claiming genderqueer identities. And finally, many youths today are simply confused by all the changes swirling around them. As a new generation contends with unsettled gender norms and expectations, Risman reminds us that gender is much more than an identity; it also shapes expectations in everyday life, and structures the organization of workplaces, politics, and, ideology. To pursue change only in individual lives, Risman argues, risks the opportunity to eradicate both gender inequality and gender as a primary category that organizes social life. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Core Concepts in Sociology J. Michael Ryan, 2018-09-07 An essential guide to the basic concepts that comprise the study of sociology with contributions from an international range of leading experts Core Concepts in Sociology is a comprehensive guide to the essential concepts relevant to the current study of the discipline and wider social science. The contributing authors cover a wide range of concepts that remain at the heart of sociology including those from its academic founding and others much more recent in their development. The text contains contributions from an international panel of leading figures in the field, utilizing their expertise on core concepts and presenting an accessible introduction for students. Drawing on the widest range of ideas, research, current literature and expert assessment, Core Concepts in Sociology contains over 90 concepts that represent the discipline. Coverage includes concepts ranging from aging to capitalism, democracy to economic sociology, epistemology to everyday life, media to risk, stigma and much more. This vital resource: Sets out the concepts that underpin the study of sociology and wider social science Contains contributions from an international panel of leading figures in the field Includes a comprehensive review of the basic concepts that comprise the foundation and essential development of the discipline Designed as a concise and accessible resource Written for students, researchers and wider professionals with an interest in the field of sociology, Core Concepts in Sociology offers a concise, affordable and accessible resource for studying the underpinnings of sociology and social science. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Modern Sociological Theory George Ritzer, Jeffrey Stepnisky, 2017-01-23 Now with SAGE Publishing, and co-authored by one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory, the Eighth Edition of Modern Sociological Theory by George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and theoretical schools, from the Structural Functionalism of early 20th century through the cutting-edge theories of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of contemporary thinkers. New to this Edition A new chapter focuses theories of race, racism, and colonialism, as well as theories about indigenous peoples and theories from the “Global South” that challenge the work of scholars from Europe and North America. New material on colonialization, classical women theorists, and race, as well as new timelines in history chapters. The chapter on Symbolic Interactionism now discusses work on the sociology of emotions. The concluding chapter now discusses affect theory and theories of prosumption, one of the newest developments in consumer theory. The chapter on Contemporary Theories of Modernity includes new section on the work of Charles Taylor. New perspectives on the work of Immanuel Wallerstein have been added to the chapter on Neo-Marxian theories. The opening historical sketch chapters now include a discussion of colonialism as one of the forces that shaped modern society; new material on the historical significance of early women founders; and a section on theories of race. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Agency and Change Raymond Caldwell, 2006-04-27 This excellent book remaps the limits and possibilities of change, clearly shifting the focus from outmoded debates on agency and structure to new practice-based discourses on agency and change. Offering readers a selective and critical review of key literature and empirical research, it will help students contextualize this complex subject area and independently evaluate future prospects for effective change agent roles in organizations Presenting an interdisciplinary exploration of competing discourses, the book uses two overarching conceptual continua: centred agency-decentred agency and systems-processes, thereby allowing a more intensive focus on agency and change. Well-written with challenging content, this book is essential reading for those interested in the origins, development and future prospects for change agency in an organizational world characterized by increasing complexity, risk and uncertainty. |
| agency vs structure sociology: Sociology for Optimists Mary Holmes, 2016-09-10 Breaking away from the idea that sociology only ever elaborates the negative, Sociology for Optimists shows that sociology can provide hope in dealing with social issues through critical approaches that acknowledge the positive. From politics and inequality to nature and faith, Mary Holmes shows how a critical and optimistic sociology can help us think about and understand human experience not just in terms of social problems, but in terms of a human capacity to respond to those problems and strive for social change. With contemporary case studies throughout grounding the theory in the real world, this is the perfect companion/antidote to studying sociology. |
| agency vs structure sociology: White Awareness Judy H. Katz, 1978 Stage 1. |
| agency vs structure sociology: An Introduction to Sociology Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, 2000-04-01 |
AGENCY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Agencies exist at the federal, state, and local levels. Most federal agencies are attached to the executive branch of government. Some agencies (such as the Environmental Protection …
Integrated Insurance Solutions | Insuring Ashburn & Virginia
3 days ago · Compare multiple insurance quotes from your local independent insurance agent today. Integrated Insurance Solutions provides Auto, Home, Commercial, and Personal Lines …
Independent Insurance Agency in Ashburn, Virginia
When it comes to protecting what matters most, Ashburn residents need an insurance agency they can count on. That’s where The Allen Thomas Group comes in. We’re not just another …
InsureLogics | Insuring Ashburn & Virginia
Jun 2, 2025 · InsureLogics provides friendly, professional service for the auto, home, life, and business insurance needs for the people of Ashburn, Virginia, and surrounding areas. The …
Insurance Agents in Ashburn, VA – Nationwide
Browse Nationwide insurance agents in Ashburn, Virginia to get a free quote in just minutes! Visit or call for all your auto, home, life and business insurance needs.
AGENCY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Bureaucratic agencies often seek to broaden their institutional autonomy, and skillfully develop mechanisms to accomplish this. Figure 1 (over) shows the resources held by ministers, …
Ashburn, Virginia Insurance Agents - Progressive Agent
See a full listing of local insurance agents and insurance agencies in Ashburn, Virginia. Find your agent now and get a quote.
Employment Agencies in Ashburn, VA - The Real Yellow Pages
If you are looking for an employment agency, this is not one. It is a payroll service. The gentleman who answered the phone was very polite though, so if his service is as… 3. Pan Asia …
Headhunters and Recruiters in Ashburn - Headhunters Directory
Work with the best local recruiters, headhunters, job recruiting firms, employment agencies, staffing agencies, and executive search recruitment firms in Ashburn, Virginia. These …
The Best 10 Employment Agencies near Ashburn, VA 20147 - Yelp
What are people saying about employment agencies services near Ashburn, VA? "Technical Staffing Specialists has supported many of our staffing efforts over the last 26 years since I …
AGENCY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Agencies exist at the federal, state, and local levels. Most federal agencies are attached to the executive branch of government. Some agencies (such as the Environmental Protection Agency) …
Integrated Insurance Solutions | Insuring Ashburn & Virginia
3 days ago · Compare multiple insurance quotes from your local independent insurance agent today. Integrated Insurance Solutions provides Auto, Home, Commercial, and Personal Lines …
Independent Insurance Agency in Ashburn, Virginia
When it comes to protecting what matters most, Ashburn residents need an insurance agency they can count on. That’s where The Allen Thomas Group comes in. We’re not just another faceless …
InsureLogics | Insuring Ashburn & Virginia
Jun 2, 2025 · InsureLogics provides friendly, professional service for the auto, home, life, and business insurance needs for the people of Ashburn, Virginia, and surrounding areas. The agency …
Insurance Agents in Ashburn, VA – Nationwide
Browse Nationwide insurance agents in Ashburn, Virginia to get a free quote in just minutes! Visit or call for all your auto, home, life and business insurance needs.
AGENCY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Bureaucratic agencies often seek to broaden their institutional autonomy, and skillfully develop mechanisms to accomplish this. Figure 1 (over) shows the resources held by ministers, …
Ashburn, Virginia Insurance Agents - Progressive Agent
See a full listing of local insurance agents and insurance agencies in Ashburn, Virginia. Find your agent now and get a quote.
Employment Agencies in Ashburn, VA - The Real Yellow Pages
If you are looking for an employment agency, this is not one. It is a payroll service. The gentleman who answered the phone was very polite though, so if his service is as… 3. Pan Asia Resources …
Headhunters and Recruiters in Ashburn - Headhunters Directory
Work with the best local recruiters, headhunters, job recruiting firms, employment agencies, staffing agencies, and executive search recruitment firms in Ashburn, Virginia. These recruitment firms …
The Best 10 Employment Agencies near Ashburn, VA 20147 - Yelp
What are people saying about employment agencies services near Ashburn, VA? "Technical Staffing Specialists has supported many of our staffing efforts over the last 26 years since I have know …
