Overview
This episode explains the concepts of "agency" and "structure" in sociology, highlighting their definitions and the difference between individual action and societal systems.
What is Agency?
- Agency refers to a person's ability to act independently and make choices.
- Individuals exercise agency when they make decisions based on their own free will.
What is Structure?
- Structure is the patterned system within society that shapes and limits individuals' choices and opportunities.
- Structures include social institutions, cultural norms, and established patterns of behavior.
Agency vs. Structure
- Agency focuses on personal independence and decision-making power.
- Structure deals with the external factors that influence or constrain individual actions.
- The relationship between agency and structure is central to understanding how society and individuals interact.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Agency — the ability of people to act on their own accord and independence.
- Structure — the patterned systems of society that impact and assign the choices (or opportunities) available to individuals.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read the article "What Is Agency?" by Mustafa Emirbayer and Ann Miche for deeper understanding.