The macro perspective known as the ‘social structure’ is based on how society is maintained and preserved by social institutions. On the other side of this equation, human agency refers to an individual or a social group’s ability to make decisions out of free will within the structured society. Many sociologists question whether or not the wider social structure has an influence on the choices made by the individuals and the capacity in which a social structure allows a person to act independently. Since the industrial revolution taken place in the 1760’s, many new production methods have been introduced; this has resulted in a vast evolution in the technology industry. It has allowed us to produce innovative products which had not been …show more content…
This idea of ‘consumer role’ prolongs the search for identity as new and improved products are continuously blinding people and leaving them to chase after material products which are unlikely to maintain a long term gratification. An example of this is the Apple IPhone which annually upgrades, in addition promises ‘fashion’ and ‘style’ to an individual. However Bauman would argue that the constant release of a new and upgraded IPhone each year results in dissatisfaction of the consumer’s previous purchase and if unable to keep up this consumer role, there is a fear of being judged as ‘untrendy’ or ‘old-fashioned’. The concept of the consumer society fragmenting the sense of self is supported by many other sociologists. Baudrillard evolves Bauman’s theory by stating that consumption ‘is not derived primarily from the realm of nature but from the realm of culture” (Kellner 1989)likewise he emphasises the fact that temptations is one cause of consumption and concludes that this is the culture of the consumer society in which we live in. Similarly the culture of Marxism incorporates consumerism within the base and superstructure where Karl Max explains how this societal structure followed by the unaware proletariats develops everyday alienation. Marxism argues that
In the late 1700s the invention of new machines launched the first wave of industrial revolution. New technology
According to Lee, the key social problem is “reconciling principles of conformity and individual initiative, group living and private freedom of choice, social regulation and personal autonomy” (Lee 5). She explores how we as individuals are usually in one social structure or another; but we do not get the freedom we as individuals
Society as a whole has established its own set of norms, group membership, and status’ that individuals have to adapt to in order to fit in. Throughout the years, these norms have changed thus causing individuals to conform so they can be accepted and not labeled deviant. The quote “The individual…is not born a member of society” (Berger & Luckman, 1996:18) means that society is constantly shifting causing individuals to relearn what is normative and deviant so they can be accepted by society.
In opposition to structure, agency is the amount of free choice an individual has. This perspective is much more of a micro approach, as it believes that the individuals have the ability to make choices without influence from outside forces and places a large emphasis on free will. Under this belief, individuals have a large influence on society, and with a knowledge and understanding of the structure you are a part of, you can make decisions that
The term consumer society goes beyond the mere act of shopping and the functional use of goods with contemporary
In this essay I will be outlining consumerism and claims that a consumer society is always a throw-away society. Consumption plays a big part in our lives and causes us to live in divided societies. It may make us feel like we fit in buying new gadgets and clothes and also give us that sense of belonging but we don’t take into account what happens to the old items and packaging. People do not want to look at the problems caused. I will use this essay with the evidence I have read
The large number of practical and useful inventions brought forward during the time leading up to and including the period known as the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on both American society and the world. The transition that took place resulted in reliance on mechanical sources of power/energy rather than the traditional human or animal sources to produce the products needed (Hackett, 1992). One of
In social theory, there exists a long-standing debate over whether structure or agency is central in shaping human behavior. While structure is the underlying set of rules for how a society works, agency is the ability of the individual to exert choice
The cultural backgrounds of China and India were also similar in the way that these two cultures were richer than the culture of Africa and the Americas which allowed them to grow rapidly. The Americas and Africa were just beginning to develop whereas China and India has established themselves and these countries had a deep history.
As we are constantly exposed to mass media and popular culture in our modern society, the insidious nature of consumerism has allowed it to penetrate into every aspect of our lives, dictating our very beliefs, values and wants. Nearly every individual in our society subconsciously conforms to the shallow and superficial mindset that characterises our consumerist culture. This idea is highlighted by the following texts; the poem “Enter without so much as knocking” by Bruce Dawe, an extract from the sermon “The Religion of Consumerism” delivered by Peter House, the poem “Breakthrough” by Bruce Dawe, and the
The Industrial Revolution was the main contributor of the development of factories and modern day machinery. The Industrial Revolution created hundreds of new jobs, influenced many new inventions, and created many new ways of creating and transporting goods. Many jobs including spinners, miners, factory workers, and farmers were beginning to rise in population, due to the new technology being created in the 18th and 19th centuries. The start of new inventions coming into view was beginning in Britain, with many agricultural tools creating new ways to plow and yield crops. Later on, it caused new forms of transportation to be developed, for example, railroads and canals. This essay will explain exactly how these causes began, and how they
There are many theories that criminologists use to evaluate criminal events. As a result, doing so will expose the flaws of the justice system so that they can be improved. That is because these improvements will reduce the probability of such cases happening again. For example, a recent crime has just been reported where a 29-year-old French nationalist, Smail Ayad, had been convicted of two counts of murder. It was in Shelly’s Home Hill hostel, in North Queensland where Mr Ayad repeatedly stabbed British backpacker, Mia Ayliffe-Chung. The other victim, Tom Jackson, was also stabbed repeatedly after intervening. As witnesses had claimed Mr Ayad was infatuated with Miss Ayliffe-Chung. Over 30 witnesses also claimed that Mr Ayad was yelling
In her analysis of Fight Club, Renee Lockwood identifies the defining role that consumerism plays in establishing modern identity asserting that “modern consumers able to choose from a vast range of identities through products and labels” (Lockwood, 2008, p. 329.). Explicit examples of society’s dependency on consumerism is constantly portrayed through makeovers, where an individual gains a plethora of confidence and social acceptance through the modification of their sense of dress. Thus, we live in a world defined almost entirely by what we own hence the propensity for people to change their identity from time to time.
Marxism is a perspective that was first introduced in the mid 1800’s by Karl Marx and is still applied to situations today. Marxism believes that the mode of production in society determines the social relations of productions (Mack & Ott, 2016). It is considered to be a materialistic philosophy as it has a strong focus on the material world and how it plays a part in human thought. This helps in learning more about the product consumption of the media industry and how social institutions such as family structures, religion and education reflect on different
The social structure theory deliberates delinquency as a gathering of the person’s dealings with numerous groups, organizations, and process in the society. Any person irrespective of their prominence in life is likely to become delinquents if they continue with negative social affiliations. Every aspect of the society, social and economic must be viewed using the social structure theories to find the cause of crime and deviance. The social structure theories consist of four types which include social disorganization theory, anomie theory, differential association theory, and labeling theory. Several theories offer different answers to this delinquent of influential the key features of a social group.