The Role of Agency and Structure in Shaping Modern Societal Identity: A Sociological Perspective

This essay discusses the impact of agency and structure on shaping modern societal identity from a sociological perspective. It highlights the role of interactionist and functionalist theories in understanding human behaviour and society.

Essay

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
There are various sociological theories which are at play when it comes to defining a human
being as a social being in modern society such as functionalist and internationalist perspective
which are both major theories when it comes to understanding human psychology and their
social behaviours. It has been identified that in order to understand the impact which agency and
structure have on human being’s social identity, one must understand key factors of sociology
such as agency and structure. This report will highlight a personal reflection based on a human
being’s modern societal identity and will emphasize the role of structure and agency on the way
in which they shape and impact one’s socially relevant behavioural patterns (Coser, 2020).
MAIN BODY
The term sociological theory can be defined as set of various principles which helps in
explaining about world. Along with this, it also provides with a strategic framework that explains
social work around individual. For example, the theories of evolution help in explaining about
enormous variety of evidence about world from fossil records to DNA. In relation to sociological
theory, there are three types of theories such as interactionist perspective, conflict perspective
and functionalist perspective. Each theory has its unique distinct to explain several aspects of
human behaviour and society within. There are also various sociological theories which looks at
wider range of social issues and problems. Some sociological theories are discussed below.
Interactionist perspective can be considered as one of the good example of micro-sociology.
This theory is also known as symbolic interactionist perspective as it argues that individual
behaviour is deeply influenced by several symbolic meaning and definitions. It is a symbolic
interaction with other community members that helps in creating those meanings and definition.
An individual’s sense of self is influenced by social interaction and by way other choose to label
an individual. Interactionist perspective focuses on the fact that an individual react on their
perceived definition of circumstances as well as opposed what they might call an objective
evaluation. If individuals become positive, then world would end at a particular time and date
whether or not it is a true belief. In addition to that, it would influence behaviour in a significant
manner. The things that an individual consider real are capable of being real in consequence
despite the beliefs are incorrect (Renault, 2018)
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Functionalist Perspective theory is more traditional example of macro-sociology and it
significantly emphasise on interconnected relationship between society and various system. In
simple words, it tends to be more concerned with how portion and whole influence each other. It
is needed of those parts to be cooperate as well as work together so as to keep society in state of
balance. Knowledge, education, culture and family values plays vital role in communicating
values to young people. In perspective, all aspects of society are treated as functional if they
contribute in social stability of as dysfunctional, if they do not. In some instances, it becomes
difficult to identify than others and some aspects of society often contribute and detract from
social instability at same time. In some cases, crime is associated with social instability and it can
also be considered as functional by promoting and exchanging moral bonds and social cohesion.
The famous Greek philosopher once said that “Man is by nature a social animal, an
individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more
than human.” he said this because human beings live in groups whether they are smaller like a
family or large like a city or country and human live are dependent on other humans. Human
being are social species that believes on cooperation for their survival and thrive. This is a
general conception about one’s behavioural pattern. Most of the sociological thinkers agrees on
the fact that there is a very strong and close relationship between the society and the individual.
It is very common whether a particular individual have been fostering under conditions in which
any society does not exists but the fact is without any social environment whether its home,
community or his state there would be no stability to his status as an individual. And it is going
to be pointless to argue whether the society came before the individual or the individual came
before the society (Hillebrandt, 2022).
When it comes to my personal experiences as a human being, my modern identity has
been shapes through various social experiences and interacting with multiple socially relevant
dynamics. The theory of interactionist has played a major role in understanding the way in which
my current identity and behaviour exists as a human being and a capable citizen of the modern
society. I have based my ethical compass and understanding of what’s right and wrong based on
my interactions with fellow humans and other relevant members of society. One of the major
interactions which has impacted my current identity is through my parents and my teachers.
During my routine and daily interactions and conversations with them, I was intellectually
stimulated and learned a lot of life lessons which formed early signs of what a morally
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acceptable behaviour in society (Tamanaha, 2020). My interactions with my teacher in school for
example gave me the agency to take my own decisions and become more independent in life and
learn through trial and error rather than rote learning which has made me expert in learning about
complex and new subjects. The structure of society has also played a major role in my personal
development and the shaping of my identity which is evidenced by the functionalist theory of
sociology which states that every system and strata of society is interlinked with one another. For
example, I grew up studying in a government school which made me much more knowledgeable
in matters of the state and played a silent role in making me more sympathetic towards matters of
societal nature (Tavory, 2018).
CONCLUSION
The above essay went into detail regarding the role of two major societal theories which are
interactionist and functionalist in shaping one’s modern societal and personal identity. The essay
highlighted the major role played by agency and structure which are vital parts of modern
sociology on establishing a human’s identity and behavioural patterns. It was concluded from
this report that the interactions that humans have and the societal systems in place play key roles
in one’s personal development from an early age.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Coser, L.A., 2020. The uses of classical sociological theory. In The future of the sociological
classics (pp. 170-182). Routledge.
Hillebrandt, F., 2022. Practices–viewed from a sociological perspective. Practice, Practice
Theory and Theology: Scandinavian and German Perspectives, 28, p.57.
Renault, E., 2018. Sociological theory, social theory, social philosophy: Critical mapping.
Sociologie, 9(1), pp.43-59.
Tamanaha, B.Z., 2020. Sociological jurisprudence past and present. Law & Social Inquiry, 45(2),
pp.493-520.
Tavory, I., 2018. Between situations: Anticipation, rhythms, and the theory of interaction.
Sociological Theory, 36(2), pp.117-133.
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