Sociology 1210 Week 8: Understanding Agency

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Questions and Answers

What is collective effervescence according to Durkheim?

The joy of participating in individual activities.

The feeling of isolation during social events.

Connection and meaning derived from individual experiences.

The sense of connection and meaning from collective events. (correct)

Social structure refers solely to individual actions and choices.

False

Explain reflexivity in the context of socialization.

Reflexivity is the capacity to recognize and critique socialization forces and alter one's role in social structures.

The interchange between structure and agency that leads to changes in social systems is known as ___ .

social change Signup and view all the answers

Match the concepts with their definitions:

Agency = The capacity of individuals to act independently Structure = Patterns of relationships and distributions in society Collective effervescence = Sense of connection from group events Social inequality = Uneven distribution of resources among groups Signup and view all the answers

What does the term agency imply in sociology?

The capacity to make choices independently Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes social integration?

It refers to the degree of individual participation in social relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Social structures have no impact on an individual's ability to create change.

False Signup and view all the answers

Determinism in sociology argues that individual choices are completely independent of social structures.

False Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of social determinism in sociology.

Social determinism suggests that social structures and historical contexts significantly influence human behavior and life choices. Signup and view all the answers

How does social change relate to activism?

Social change is often driven by activism, as individuals and groups work to challenge existing norms and advocate for new societal values. Signup and view all the answers

AGENCY IMPLIES _______!

POWER Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of agency with their descriptions:

Reflexive Agency = Contemplation and critique of oneself Spontaneous Agency = Unplanned collective actions with shared attention Organized Agency = Deliberate social movements seeking change Individual Agency = Personal choices independent of influence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best reflects the interaction between structure and agency?

Individuals act within and against existing social structures. Signup and view all the answers

Collective agency involves individuals acting alone without any influence from others.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of belonging to a group, as expressed by Émile Durkheim?

Belonging to a group helps individuals cling to life more resolutely and prevents deep personal troubles. Signup and view all the answers

What does Plummer suggest about agency in people’s lives?

Some people are restricted in their agency. Signup and view all the answers

Agency always promotes social justice and equality.

False Signup and view all the answers

What role does sociology play in understanding agency?

Sociology provides a systematic study of social interactions and helps identify and analyze taken-for-granted norms. Signup and view all the answers

The time period from 1980 to 1996 includes the generation known as ______.

Millennials Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

Agency = The capacity to act and make choices Determinism = The theory that social structures dictate behavior Social change = Transformations in social practices and norms Reflexivity = The examination of one's own social influences Signup and view all the answers

In what way can agency be restricted?

By structural inequalities based on class or race. Signup and view all the answers

Collective effervescence refers to the shared energy that can bring people together in social movements.

True Signup and view all the answers

How do structural forces intersect in personal experiences?

Structural forces intersect through various societal influences like family, education, and culture affecting individual agency and choices. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 8: What about Agency?

Sociology 1210, Dr. Elisabeth Rondinelli
Introduces the concept of "agency" within sociology, a crucial aspect of individual and group action.
Notes on the question of what agency is and its role in shaping human behavior.

Key Concepts and Learning Objectives

Agency: The capacity of individuals and groups to act independently of social structures, make choices, and shape their experiences. Agency implies power.
Different Forms of Agency:
Reflexive: Individual contemplation, critique, and reflection. Reevaluating values and making different choices.
Spontaneous: Collective action with others unplanned, but focused on common things (e.g., new cultural trends).
Organized: Collective and deliberate action to achieve social change and disrupt existing norms (e.g., social movements).
Structure/Agency Debate: A central debate in sociology. Discussing the relationship between social structures and individual agency in shaping human behavior.
Structure: The enduring patterns of relationships and distributions in a social system. This includes social norms and cultural expectations.
Determinism: The idea that an individual's actions are entirely controlled by external structural forces.
Social Integration: The degree to which people participate in and are connected to social relationships and communities.
Sociology and Agency: The significance of agency in relation to social structures.
Agency is not evenly distributed: People's agency is not the same; some have greater access or capacity to act on their lives.
Agency is not always progressive: Agency can promote social change or be used to create or support negative social conditions.

Key Points from the Text about Agency

Agency is part of a system. We are not free agents, we live in a system.
Structures and systems shape the world we live in.
Agency is a tool to change the structures and systems. We are individuals, but we should still understand and respect that structures shape what we can do.
Inheritance and inherited social structures affect our behaviours and identities, which affect the choices we make and the outcomes we see.
Individuals need context (structural forces) to understand how they can act (agent).
Humans can change the world.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of agency as presented in Sociology 1210. Delve into the different forms of agency, including reflexive, spontaneous, and organized actions. Additionally, examine the important debate surrounding structure and agency within sociology.