Giddens' Theory of Structuration

Description: Giddens' Theory of Structuration Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: sociology power authority structuration
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What is the central concept in Giddens' theory of structuration?

  1. Duality of structure

  2. Agency

  3. Structure

  4. Power


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Giddens' theory of structuration is based on the idea that social structures are both the medium and the outcome of human agency.

According to Giddens, what is the relationship between structure and agency?

  1. Structure determines agency.

  2. Agency determines structure.

  3. Structure and agency are independent of each other.

  4. Structure and agency are mutually constitutive.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens argues that structure and agency are mutually constitutive, meaning that they shape and are shaped by each other.

What are the three elements of Giddens' structuration theory?

  1. Structure, agency, and power

  2. Structure, culture, and ideology

  3. Structure, agency, and interaction

  4. Structure, culture, and power


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Giddens' structuration theory consists of three elements: structure, agency, and interaction.

What is the role of power in Giddens' theory of structuration?

  1. Power is a property of social structures.

  2. Power is a property of individual actors.

  3. Power is a product of the interaction between structure and agency.

  4. Power is irrelevant to social theory.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Giddens argues that power is a product of the interaction between structure and agency, and that it is not simply a property of either.

What is the significance of Giddens' theory of structuration for social theory?

  1. It provides a new way of understanding the relationship between structure and agency.

  2. It offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing social change.

  3. It challenges the traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to social theory.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens' theory of structuration has been influential in social theory for a number of reasons, including its new approach to the relationship between structure and agency, its comprehensive framework for analyzing social change, and its challenge to traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches.

Giddens' theory of structuration has been criticized for being:

  1. Too abstract and difficult to apply to real-world situations.

  2. Too deterministic and not giving enough agency to individuals.

  3. Too focused on the micro level and not taking into account the macro level.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens' theory of structuration has been criticized for being too abstract and difficult to apply to real-world situations, for being too deterministic and not giving enough agency to individuals, and for being too focused on the micro level and not taking into account the macro level.

Despite these criticisms, Giddens' theory of structuration remains influential in social theory because it:

  1. Provides a new way of understanding the relationship between structure and agency.

  2. Offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing social change.

  3. Challenges the traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to social theory.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Despite the criticisms, Giddens' theory of structuration remains influential in social theory because it provides a new way of understanding the relationship between structure and agency, offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing social change, and challenges the traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to social theory.

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in Giddens' theory of structuration?

  1. Duality of structure

  2. Agency

  3. Culture

  4. Power


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Culture is not a key concept in Giddens' theory of structuration.

According to Giddens, what is the role of knowledge in social action?

  1. Knowledge is a product of social interaction.

  2. Knowledge is a property of individual actors.

  3. Knowledge is a resource that can be used to achieve goals.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens argues that knowledge is a product of social interaction, a property of individual actors, and a resource that can be used to achieve goals.

What is the relationship between time and space in Giddens' theory of structuration?

  1. Time and space are independent of each other.

  2. Time and space are mutually constitutive.

  3. Time is more important than space.

  4. Space is more important than time.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Giddens argues that time and space are mutually constitutive, meaning that they shape and are shaped by each other.

What is the significance of Giddens' theory of structuration for understanding social change?

  1. It provides a new way of understanding how social structures change over time.

  2. It offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing the causes of social change.

  3. It challenges the traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to social change.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens' theory of structuration has been influential in the study of social change for a number of reasons, including its new approach to understanding how social structures change over time, its comprehensive framework for analyzing the causes of social change, and its challenge to traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to social change.

Which of the following is NOT a type of social system identified by Giddens?

  1. Action systems

  2. Interaction systems

  3. Communicative systems

  4. Material systems


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Material systems are not a type of social system identified by Giddens.

According to Giddens, what is the role of institutions in social life?

  1. Institutions are the building blocks of social structures.

  2. Institutions are the means by which social order is maintained.

  3. Institutions are the sites of social conflict and change.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens argues that institutions are the building blocks of social structures, the means by which social order is maintained, and the sites of social conflict and change.

What is the relationship between modernity and reflexivity in Giddens' theory?

  1. Modernity is characterized by a high degree of reflexivity.

  2. Reflexivity is a product of modernity.

  3. Modernity and reflexivity are independent of each other.

  4. Reflexivity is more important than modernity.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Giddens argues that modernity is characterized by a high degree of reflexivity, meaning that individuals are increasingly aware of the social world and their place in it.

What is the significance of Giddens' theory of structuration for understanding globalization?

  1. It provides a new way of understanding the relationship between local and global processes.

  2. It offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing the causes of globalization.

  3. It challenges the traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to globalization.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Giddens' theory of structuration has been influential in the study of globalization for a number of reasons, including its new approach to understanding the relationship between local and global processes, its comprehensive framework for analyzing the causes of globalization, and its challenge to traditional Marxist and Weberian approaches to globalization.

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