Actors & Agency

Question 1

What is agency?

Answer 1

The ability of individuals to make their own choices. Similar to free will.

Question 2

What is social structure?

Answer 2

Relatively long-lasting social pattern.

Question 3

What is determinism?

Answer 3

The philosophical doctrine that human actions and choices are fully determined by preceding events and causes.

Question 4

What can social structures constitute on individual will?

Answer 4

Strong external constraints.

Question 5

Is it possible for an individual to move within the structures?

Answer 5

It is. Examples would be women’s civil rights, Nelson Mandela and apartheid.

Question 6

What is social mobility?

Answer 6

Process of moving between status positions in society.

Question 7

What are some characteristics of agency?

Answer 7

Continuous flow of actions including the intentionality and responsibility for these actions. Applies to groups/individuals.

Question 8

What are some characteristics of social structures?

Answer 8

They shape society, they are outside of us, of our will, of our decisions. They shape us, they are within us. Most individuals use their agency to conform and reproduce the social structures.

Question 9

What is morphogenesis?

Answer 9

Some groups or individuals use their agency to break free from existing social structures, or to change social structures.

Question 10

Who came up with the idea of “The Structure of Social Action” and “The Social System”?

Answer 10

Talcott Parsons. It coined the term “structural-functionalism” and combined Weber and Durkheim ideas.

Question 11

How do social systems (social structures) constrain individual behaviors and actions?

Answer 11

Structures limit opportunities and choices. Actors (individuals) can make decisions and behave rationally within these systems and attain their goals.

Question 12

What is social action?

Answer 12

A Max Weber idea, focuses on micro-level and individual analysis. Also connects to symbolic interactionism where beliefs, meaning, values, motives, etc. are analyzed, as well as interaction, relation with others, social actions, etc.

Question 13

What are Weber’s ideal types of social action?

Answer 13

Traditional, affectual, value-rational, and instrumental.

Question 14

What is the ideal type traditional?

Answer 14

Habits, daily routine actions, or customs. Example would be dressing in black at a funeral, or watching your favorite tv show in your pajamas.

Question 15

What is the ideal type affectual?

Answer 15

Emotional, spontaneous display of feelings. Example would be cheering when you favorite sports team scores, or giving a kiss to your loved one.

Question 16

What is the ideal type value-rational?

Answer 16

Acts out of conviction or belief; the end or goal is most important rather than the mean. Example: going to church to live your faith or killing an enemy soldier.

Question 17

What is the ideal type instrumental?

Answer 17

Evaluation of the means and consequences of actions towards a goal, an end. Example: urban engineers build a bridge across a river or students read their textbook chapters every week to succeed in tests and get a good job.

Question 18

The concept of agency is said to do what?

Answer 18

“Stresses the idea that structures are composed of individuals who engage with social structure and can initiate structural change.”

Question 19

Giddens said what about agency is connection to structure?

Answer 19

That it is a continuos flow of actions including the intentionality and responsibility for these actions.