Are humans determined by their particular environment or whether they feel and act out of their personal choice or agency?

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ1
icon
Related questions
Question

Are humans determined by their particular environment or whether they feel and act out of their personal choice or agency?

Expert Solution
INTRODUCTION

Sociology as a discipline studies the social structures and the relationship between the human and society. Human beings carry out social interactions with other individuals and even with society having several organizations and institutions as a whole. These interactions define the future outcomes for the individual.

EXPLANATION

Determinism as a perspective points that human beings and their actions are determined by the previous actions or events performed according to the universal governing laws. It says every human action is surrounded by the different social factors to which the individual belongs. The libertarianism perspective says that human beings have the free will to perform actions that are not governed by the laws. Humans are determined by this action of choice when it comes to the individual as the unit of analysis. Still, in the larger context, he is determined by the surrounding environment. for example, an individual in a social setting exhibits his behavior according to society's values and norms. Socialization as a whole process is to teach the behavioral aspects of the individual and the norms that he should abide by while performing an action. The organization or the institution determines the behavior of the individual. Family as an institution socializes the individual to perform the actions according to the religion and the culture he belongs. Then in the later phase, the formal institutions take the position of socialization by making the individual get aware of the societal norms and values. In every setting, throughout an individual's life, his/her behavior is guided by the larger societal interests. The decisions or the choices he may take will be driven by the previous experiences of the same circumstances or the previous behavior by keeping the consequences of performing the behavior in the broader society. 

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134641287
Author:
Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:
Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780393639407
Author:
Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis…
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis…
Sociology
ISBN:
9781305503076
Author:
Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien…
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien…
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134477596
Author:
Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:
PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134205571
Author:
James M. Henslin
Publisher:
PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134206325
Author:
John J. Macionis
Publisher:
PEARSON