Human agency
From Geography
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
forces and conditions. | forces and conditions. | ||
| - | Although agency is often seen as the opposite of structure, Werlen managed to create a | + | Although agency is often seen as the opposite of structure, Werlen managed to create a compromis between the two. Acknowledging the existence of both, Werlen stated that both can be influenced by each other. Through human agency structures can be influenced and structures on its own turn influence human agency. So, while speaking also of structures, Werlen cannot be seen as follower of the structuration theory, because "Werlen rejects determinist or essentialist thinking" (Lippuner, 2010, p.462). |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | Lippuner, R. (2010). ''Benno Werlen as Key Thinker on Space and Place.'' Jena University | ||
Revision as of 11:37, 21 October 2010
Human agency refers to the possibility for individuals to act out of free will. The term human agency originates from the shift of behaviourism to behaviouralism. During that shift it became known or at least thought that people do not only respond on stimuli in a universalistic way, but can also act differently, based on specific characteristics. This also refers to the discussion between determinism and indeterminism.
Agency Conceptualization of human activity emphasizing the capacity of an individual actor to control its own actions instead of being subjected to external forces and conditions.
Although agency is often seen as the opposite of structure, Werlen managed to create a compromis between the two. Acknowledging the existence of both, Werlen stated that both can be influenced by each other. Through human agency structures can be influenced and structures on its own turn influence human agency. So, while speaking also of structures, Werlen cannot be seen as follower of the structuration theory, because "Werlen rejects determinist or essentialist thinking" (Lippuner, 2010, p.462).
Sources
Lippuner, R. (2010). Benno Werlen as Key Thinker on Space and Place. Jena University
Lorenzo Goudsmits (0827991)
Lisanne Dols (0822701)
