What concept refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and exercise free will?

The concept that refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and exercise free will is agency. In sociology, agency is understood as the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices, despite the constraints imposed by social structures such as norms, laws, beliefs, and institutions. This notion highlights that individuals are not merely products of their social environment; rather, they have the power to influence their circumstances and contribute to social change.

When discussing agency, it's essential to recognize that while social structures can limit choices, they do not completely determine an individual's actions. This interplay between individual agency and social structure is fundamental in understanding social phenomena, as it illustrates how people navigate their social realities and exert influence within them.

The other concepts pertain to different sociological themes. Structure refers to the organized patterns of relationships and institutions that shape social behavior, whereas functionalism is a theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and social order. Anomie describes a state of normlessness that can occur during periods of rapid social change or disintegration of norms, leading to a sense of disconnection among individuals. While all of these concepts are crucial to sociology, agency specifically highlights individual capacity for choice and free will.