Adaptive Structuration Theory

Rules are something we follow everyday, but rules and resources are also part of a Communication Theory.

The sport of basketball has rules and resources which is part of the structure. Each member of the team has a resource that they contribute. On the Cavaliers team in Cleveland, LeBron James is the small forward. The small forward is supposed to be quick and fast, a good rebounder, and is an important scorer to the team also. LeBron James uses his resources as a small forward to support the Cavaliers and follows both the rules of being a small forward and basketball in general. Other general rules include no double dribbling (dribbling the ball, picking up the ball, and then continuing to dribble) and there should be no holding or pushing of another player resulting in two free throw shots. The referees make sure the rules are followed and each team makes sure the players have valuable resources.

The appropriation deals with following the rules and resources. Faithful appropriation reminds me of my middle school basketball city league team. We did not have specific positions like the National Basketball Association, but everyone had a resource to contribute. We also followed the rules and had referees for our games to insure the rules were being followed. Ironic appropriation is when rules and resources are not going the way they are supposed to. An example of ironic appropriation would be when someone crumbles up a piece of paper and tosses it into the trash. There are no specific basketball rules being followed and the resources by the person tossing the paper away are not an issue.

The final part of the theory is production and reproduction. Reproduction can be found in a local gym where members are playing basketball. The players will often make comment when a player has double-dribbled or has made a foul on another player. The players are reinforcing the rules and following the standard rules for basketball. Production is when someone takes a rule or resource and makes it their own. If someone is a great shooter, they might have a chance of being a small forward, but they can also use the shooting to their advantage when playing the game “P-I-G.” The player is using their resource in a game to beat the other players before spelling the word pig in a production of the game.

I am always fascinated by the every day things that are made into theories. I think this theory covers almost everything and I agree with the theory. It may need a few more details here and there, but it was interesting to see how a routine, such as basketball, can fall into a theory.