Chapter 18 Adaptive Structuration Theory

The adaptive structuration theory is very difficult to grasp, but I found that once you understand it, it is very interesting and has a lot of truth to it. It is a very interesting way of looking at the way in which a group functions. I personally like this theory more than the functional perspective on group decision making theory in chapter 17 because it is less structured, while at the same time still being structured. An example from my life that best represents this theory would be my field hockey team. My team is a group of individuals set out to solve the "problem" of winning games. In order to win games we must come up with a way in which to do so. This is where adaptive structuration comes into play and the idea of production and reproduction. Everyday our coaches tell us what to do in practice and how to do it. by doing this they are producing methods in which we should use to win games. By following these methods we are then reproducing what they told us by using these methods. After that we then come to "Structure". We have rules that are given to us, for example, were are to be on time to practice, work hard, positive attitude and compete with each other. Because we all follow these rules according to Giddens, they count as rules. If only one or two of us followed them, they would not be considered rules. We then have resources, everyone on the team contributes something whether that be a certain talent, leadership, or athleticism, we all have something to bring to the table. Faithful and Ironic appropriation also play a major role. For example, our team adopted the idea that each year before our home games we would kiss our hands and hit our KENT STATE sign. We tried to incorporate in into our pre-game ritual but not everyone did it, and it didn't have the same meaning that it did before. This would be an example of ironic appropriation because even though we tried to adopt this tradition it wasn't practiced in the spirit that it was intended to be. Finally duality of structure comes into play. We practice everyday, we run, we lift weights, and we do team building activities that result in winning games. When we win games those games inspire us to work hard even more to continue to win more games. This shows Giddens idea that decisions are affected by the structure and structures are affected by the decisions and outcomes.