Actor-network theory

Definition

Actor-network theory (ANT) is a theoretical framework that explores how both human and non-human entities interact within networks to shape social phenomena. It emphasizes that relationships among these actors—such as individuals, technologies, institutions, and other objects—are crucial in understanding how scientific knowledge and technologies are constructed, maintained, and transformed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ANT rejects the distinction between social and natural sciences, suggesting that both are co-produced through actor interactions.
2. The theory underscores the importance of non-human actors, such as technology or scientific instruments, in influencing human actions and decisions.
3. ANT argues that scientific knowledge is not just a product of objective inquiry but is also shaped by the network of relationships surrounding it.
4. In ANT, power is seen as fluid and distributed across the network rather than concentrated in specific institutions or individuals.
5. The concept of 'black boxes' in ANT refers to accepted scientific facts or technologies that have become so normalized that their development processes are often overlooked.

Review Questions

• How does actor-network theory challenge traditional views of scientific knowledge construction?
  • Actor-network theory challenges traditional views by asserting that scientific knowledge is not merely an objective representation of reality but is shaped by complex interactions among both human and non-human actors. This means that technologies, institutions, and even social practices play critical roles in forming what we consider scientific truths. Instead of viewing knowledge as a final product, ANT suggests it's an ongoing process influenced by various factors in a network.
• Discuss how actor-network theory can be applied to understand the role of technology in shaping social practices.
  • Actor-network theory can be applied to understand the role of technology by examining how devices, systems, and infrastructures influence human behavior and societal norms. By treating technology as an active participant in social networks, ANT reveals how technological artifacts can shape interactions and expectations. For example, the introduction of smartphones has changed communication patterns, social interactions, and even cultural norms by creating new networks of connectivity and influencing how people relate to one another.
• Evaluate the implications of actor-network theory for understanding technological determinism versus social shaping of technology.
  • Actor-network theory provides a nuanced perspective on the debate between technological determinism and the social shaping of technology by emphasizing the interdependence of technology and society. While technological determinism suggests technology drives social change independently, ANT posits that technologies are embedded within networks where human decisions and cultural contexts also play vital roles. This means understanding technology requires analyzing its relational dynamics with social actors, thereby highlighting that neither technology nor society solely dictates change; instead, they co-evolve through their interactions.

Related terms

Social Constructivism:

A perspective that argues knowledge is constructed through social processes and interactions rather than simply discovered.

Network: A structured set of interconnected entities, including both human actors and technological artifacts that interact within a system.

Translation: The process in ANT where actors negotiate, redefine, and align their interests and goals within a network, leading to the stabilization of new social orders.