Define agency and structure as sociological concepts and explain the differences between them. Using an example, illustrate and describe the relationship between agency and structure.
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: Agency: the ability of individuals and groups to exercise free will and to make social change, whether on a small or large scale. Structure: patterned social arrangements that have an effect on agency. Structure may enable or constrain social action. We all have the ability to make choices and exercise free will, but the structures that surround us impose obstacles or present opportunities for us. The choices we make may be enabled or constrained by structure. Reciprocal relationship: structure affects agency, agency can change the dimensions of structure. Example varies.
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the sociological imagination.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Hard
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What will be an ideal response?
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