One of the major concerns in sociology is human behavior. There are several debates on what influences human behavior. One of the controversies in determining human behavior is the structure and agency controversy. Supporters of the structure as the main influence in human behavior argue that human behavior is by patterns and systems that have been developed in a society. These patterns not only influence human behavior but also limit human actions. Supporters of agency as the main influence of human behavior argue that human behavior happens as a choice of a person. Every person has the freedom to choose what to do in a society.
Anthony Giddens was one of the sociologists that contributed to solve issues regarding the debate. He argued that agency and structure influence human behavior. According to Giddens, agency develops the structure. He argued that habits that recur help in shaping the behavior of people in a community. According to Giddens, human interactions affect the behavior in a society. He argued that social structures are part of individuals’ lives. Their actions contribute to the development of these actions. He argued that an individual has the power to change the society by influencing others, but they cannot change the social structures as they please. One of Giddens critics is Margaret Archer. She believes that structure and agency should be treated as separate agents in influencing behavior (Giddens, Anthony 57). She also argues that Giddens concentrates too much on culture and fails to notice other aspects that help in development of human behavior. She focuses in human interactions as the main influences of behavior.
One of the main opponents of Giddens theory of structuralism is Pierre Bourdieu. Pierre argued that agency and structure work hand in hand. He was opposed to the notion that agency and structure do not work in opposition to each other. He was against Gidden’s structuralism theory and came up with the habitus and field theory, which focused on objectivism and subjectivism as the main influences of human behavior. Pierre sought to link individual cognitions to the societal influences of behavior. Structuralism focuses on language and culture, and the ways in which they influence behavior. Whereas focuses on human behaviors, and how they lead to the formation of structures, Pierre focuses on how individual understanding of the society influences behavior (Ritzer, George 97). Giddens argues that human actions help in development of habits in a society. On the other hand, to Pierre argues that a person’s perception of a society influences his behavior.
Giddens’ theory focuses on how the human actions lead to the development of structures of behavior in a society. According to Giddens, actions lead to the development of structures ina society. For example, an action of taking a nap after lunch may become a norm in a work place after a few days. On the other hand, Pierre’s theory focuses on the origin of thought perception and action. He focuses on the process of developing a personal social perception and ways in which the structure of a society limits human imagination and behavior. Habitus refers to the mental perception of the world. It is through the social interactions in a society. On the other hand, field refers to the social context in which these interactions take place and their influence in a society. For example, at work the perceptions and behavior of a person differs from his behavior at home. Both theories explain the origin of human behavior. Neither of them is wrong. The two theories should be used together in explaining the origin of human behavior.
Works cited
Giddens, Anthony. The Constitution of Society Outline of the Theory of Structuration.. Hoboken: Wiley, 2013. Print.
Ritzer, George. Contemporary sociological theory and its classical roots: the basics. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2013. Print.
