Abstract
We’re back with our (Don’t) Ask a Sociologist series, where we try to answer seemingly simple questions from listeners! This week’s question is: What is “agency,” and how is it different from “structures”? These are two words we tend to throw around willy-nilly, so let’s break both down together! If you have your own question to ask, don’t be shy and send it to us. We’d love to try to answer it!
Keywords
Agency, structures
Sources
- We define agency as the ability of people to act on their own accord and independence
- Structure is the patterned systems of society that impact and assign the choices (or opportunities) available to individuals.
- Here’s a helpful article from 1998 by Mustafa Emirbayer and Ann Miche that answers the question, What Is Agency?
- Here’s that Devil Wears Prada scene Ellen was talking about!
- Curious about the illusion of choice in consumer brands? Look at this.