Human agency
From Geography
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| - | 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. In this way it assumes some human creativity, the ability to renew and therefore also the ability to reflect. Agency also refers to the discussion between determinism and indeterminism, in which determinist thinking doesn't leave space open for human agency. This concept is also about the responsibility of acts, which seen from this perspective lay with the human individual undertaking the action, even if this is behalf someone else. | + | Agency is described by Lippuner and Werlen as a "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" (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009, p.39). 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. In this way it assumes some human creativity, the ability to renew and therefore also the ability to reflect. Agency also refers to the discussion between determinism and indeterminism, in which determinist thinking doesn't leave space open for human agency. This concept is also about the responsibility of acts, which seen from this perspective lay with the human individual undertaking the action, even if this is behalf someone else. The amount of agency present in certain situations depends also on the way it "is restricted by social |
| + | constraints" (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009, p.46). | ||
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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). This leaves room open for the idea of controlled change of society and together with that [[idealism]]. | 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). This leaves room open for the idea of controlled change of society and together with that [[idealism]]. | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
Lippuner, R. (2010). ''Benno Werlen as Key Thinker on Space and Place.'' Jena University | Lippuner, R. (2010). ''Benno Werlen as Key Thinker on Space and Place.'' Jena University | ||
| + | Lipunner, R., Werlen, B. (2009). ''Structuration Theory.'' Elsevier Ltd. | ||
Revision as of 14:24, 22 October 2010
Agency is described by Lippuner and Werlen as a "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" (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009, p.39). 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. In this way it assumes some human creativity, the ability to renew and therefore also the ability to reflect. Agency also refers to the discussion between determinism and indeterminism, in which determinist thinking doesn't leave space open for human agency. This concept is also about the responsibility of acts, which seen from this perspective lay with the human individual undertaking the action, even if this is behalf someone else. The amount of agency present in certain situations depends also on the way it "is restricted by social constraints" (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009, p.46).
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). This leaves room open for the idea of controlled change of society and together with that idealism.
Sources
Lippuner, R. (2010). Benno Werlen as Key Thinker on Space and Place. Jena University Lipunner, R., Werlen, B. (2009). Structuration Theory. Elsevier Ltd.
Lorenzo Goudsmits (0827991)
Lisanne Dols (0822701)
