Actors & Agency Flashcards

1
Q

What is agency?

A

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

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2
Q

What is social structure?

A

Relatively long-lasting social pattern.

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3
Q

What is determinism?

A

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

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4
Q

What can social structures constitute on individual will?

A

Strong external constraints.

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5
Q

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

A

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

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6
Q

What is social mobility?

A

Process of moving between status positions in society.

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7
Q

What are some characteristics of agency?

A

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

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8
Q

What are some characteristics of social structures?

A

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.

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9
Q

What is morphogenesis?

A

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

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10
Q

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

A

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

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11
Q

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

A

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

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12
Q

What is social action?

A

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.

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13
Q

What are Weber’s ideal types of social action?

A

Traditional, affectual, value-rational, and instrumental.

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14
Q

What is the ideal type traditional?

A

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

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15
Q

What is the ideal type affectual?

A

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

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16
Q

What is the ideal type value-rational?

A

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.

17
Q

What is the ideal type instrumental?

A

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.

18
Q

The concept of agency is said to do what?

A

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

19
Q

Giddens said what about agency is connection to structure?

A

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