A look at the sociological structure/agency debate through an comparison of six theories.
Written in 2003; 2,438 words; 6 sources; MLA; $ 74.95
Paper Summary:
This paper examines how the idea of the chicken and the egg is one of interdependency, one cannot exist without the other and how the structure/ agency argument is one of the main issues debated in sociology today. It explores both perspectives by looking at sociologists that believe structures in society that shape the way that individuals act and those that support the agency argument who believe individuals create and shape society. These perspectives are contrasted with interpretist theories, which do see structure and agency as interdependent.
From the Paper:
"Talcott Parsons saw society as existing on many levels, starting with "values and choices", then "roles and institutions", which leads onto the complex social structures of society. He developed a "voluntaristic theory", this is the idea that social order is maintained through individual choice (or volunteering) to follow social norms and values. Parsons felt that sociology should study people's choice within the constraints of their societies. To identify what constrains choice, he uses the idea of the "unit act". The unit act consists of the actor, or the individual, they have goals, or desired outcomes that motivate the action. There are means that are available, which are used to meet the desired end. However there are conditions, which constrain and set the context for the action. Parsons argues that the individual unit act of person is linked to, and influenced by others individual unit acts."
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