SP2750 Theory Paper
Structuration Theory
Matthew Anderson
SP2750
3/3/2015
Structuration Theory
Written by: Beverley J. Gibbs 1 Last Updated 10-24-2013
Structuration theory, concept in sociology that offers perspectives on human behavior based on a synthesis of structure and agency effects known as the “duality of structure.” Instead of describing the capacity of human action as being constrained by powerful stable societal structures such as educational, religious, or political institutions or as a function of the individual expression of will, structuration theory acknowledges the interaction of meaning, standards and values, and power and posits a dynamic relationship between these different facets of society.
Theories of structure and agency
The nexus of structure and agency has been a central tenet in the field of sociology since its inception. Theories that argue for the preeminence of structure also called the objectivist view in this context resolve that the behavior of individuals is largely determined by their socialization into that structure such as conforming to a society’s expectations with respect to gender or social class. Structures operate at varying levels, with the research lens focused at the level appropriate to the question at hand. At its highest level, society can be thought to consist of mass socioeconomic stratifications such as through distinct social classes. On a mid-range scale, institutions and social networks such as religious or familial structures might form the focus of study, and at the micro scale one might consider how community or professional norms constrain agency. Structuralisms describe the effect of structure in contrasting ways. French social scientist Émile Durkheim highlighted the positive role of stability and permanence, whereas philosopher Karl Marx described structures as protecting the few, doing little to meet the needs of the many.
In contrast, proponents of agency theory also called the subjective view in this
Matthew Anderson
SP2750
3/3/2015
Structuration Theory
Written by: Beverley J. Gibbs 1 Last Updated 10-24-2013
Structuration theory, concept in sociology that offers perspectives on human behavior based on a synthesis of structure and agency effects known as the “duality of structure.” Instead of describing the capacity of human action as being constrained by powerful stable societal structures such as educational, religious, or political institutions or as a function of the individual expression of will, structuration theory acknowledges the interaction of meaning, standards and values, and power and posits a dynamic relationship between these different facets of society.
Theories of structure and agency
The nexus of structure and agency has been a central tenet in the field of sociology since its inception. Theories that argue for the preeminence of structure also called the objectivist view in this context resolve that the behavior of individuals is largely determined by their socialization into that structure such as conforming to a society’s expectations with respect to gender or social class. Structures operate at varying levels, with the research lens focused at the level appropriate to the question at hand. At its highest level, society can be thought to consist of mass socioeconomic stratifications such as through distinct social classes. On a mid-range scale, institutions and social networks such as religious or familial structures might form the focus of study, and at the micro scale one might consider how community or professional norms constrain agency. Structuralisms describe the effect of structure in contrasting ways. French social scientist Émile Durkheim highlighted the positive role of stability and permanence, whereas philosopher Karl Marx described structures as protecting the few, doing little to meet the needs of the many.
In contrast, proponents of agency theory also called the subjective view in this
Cited: Resources: http://www.theory.org.uk/giddens2.htm http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/763077/structuration-theory http://is.theorizeit.org/wiki/Structuration_theory GORDON MARSHALL. "structuration." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved March 03, 2015 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-structuration.html