Actor Network Theory Definition Ap Human Geography
Mr. Rojo says: Thank you for reading my AP Human Geography Student's Blog. CCTs are student responses to creative and critical thinking questions that are located at the end of each chapter. Students select one question from several choices, and answer it in 3-5 paragraphs. Students were encouraged to use their own words and ideas when explaining their answers, however, students were given the full responsibility of self-editing their final post online.
Q: Do you agree with the actor-network theory? Discuss your answer.
The actor-network theory (ANT) is part of, or involved, within political ecology. This theory was developed by many scholars including Michel Callon, Bruno Latour, John Law, and many others. An overview of this idea is that human and nonhuman factors affect and influence human behavior. For instance, some human factors would be people encouraging and applying pressure to one in order for them to , lets say, look a certain way or buy items through the use of propaganda. Some examples of nonhuman factors would include chemicals or manure that would be used on grass to help with growth. Like any other theory, the actor-network theory is controversial. I would have to say that I agree with this theory because as Paul Robbins said, "the nonhuman world does have an active, ongoing, and crucial role in directing the conditions of the economy and the character of human culture."
As it was explained, the ANT is an idea that our surroundings and outside factors affect the way one thinks and what he/she does. I agree with this concept for the fact that I have been influenced and I have knowledge and examples of other people being influenced as well. For example, in my class, we discussed a case where people might be influenced by nonhuman factors to mow, fertilize, and maintain a well-kept lawn. In our society today, we are set to certain standards on how to be "presentable" and what is correct. In the case of the lawn, people might judge and put pressure on you to have your house look a certain way. This peer pressure that one experiences, over time, would lead to "giving in" and buying the products to care for his/her lawn. It just seems logical and reasonable to think that one's environment, or culture, prompts people to perform certain tasks.
Another example of the ANT that our society is constantly experiencing is plastic surgery. This idea is mainly dealt by women due to the fact that men have specific desires on to how they want a woman. The pressure to have a "desirable" body usually causes people to act and seek plastic surgery. As it was mentioned before, this pressure produces a sense of fitting in, and therefore leading people to act on it. To further expand my reasons on why I agree with the ANT, I also choose to believe that other factors must influence people. One can find a variety of examples to why and how our surroundings influence us. One idea that contradicts this theory is determinism. Determinism is the idea that we do not have control over what we think or decide. In other words, determinism tests the idea of free will. Of course, this is usually considered to be the work of God. In reference, political ecology also talks about influence on human behavior by other factors and decisions involving the environment. So, overall, the actor-network theory allows for individuals to understand how humans and nonhumans are linked together. What do you think? Share your ideas and comments below.
Actor Network Theory Definition Ap Human Geography
Source: https://aphug4andreac.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/actor-network-theory-2/
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