2012 年 19 巻 2 号 p. 164-174
The concept of agency has been frequently discussed in recent years. In this article,I examine Actor Network Theory and the concept of hybrid collective, both of which propose agency as a hybrid of human and non-human actors. In this theory, human actors and non-human actors are completely symmetrical and equivalent in their analytical procedure. While this symmetry is instructive in emphasizing the importance of non-human agency, it is also problematic in understanding the actualities of agency. To appreciate the concept of agency more precisely, it should be considered as a recursive,dynamic and historical achievement. Agency is an important concept; its theoretical distinctiveness will have an active influence upon the field of psychology and cognitive science.