different theoretical perspectives that sociologists classifies these into two b
ID: 3447707 • Letter: D
Question
different theoretical perspectives that sociologists classifies these into two broad categories: macrosociology and microsociology. Within these two categories are many different theoretical perspectives. In a sense, each paints a different picture of society and how it operates.
Which of the theoretical approaches do you think best reflects your own view (at least at this point in the term) of how our social world works? Why? Please use a brief, concrete example of something recently in the news to explain.
Explanation / Answer
Macrosociologists focus on the big picture, which usually means such things as social structure, social institutions, and social, political, and economic change. They look at the large-scale social forces that change the course of human society and the lives of individuals. Microsociologists, on the other hand, study social interaction. They look at how families, coworkers, and other small groups of people interact; why they interact the way they do; and how they interpret the meanings of their own interactions and of the social settings in which they find themselves. Macrosociologists would discuss such things as why robbery rates are higher in poorer communities and whether these rates change with changes in the national economy. Microsociologists would instead focus on such things as why individual robbers decide to commit a robbery and how they select their targets. Within the broad macro perspective, two perspectives dominate: functionalism and conflict theory. Social stability is necessary to have a strong society, and adequate socialization and social integration are necessary to achieve social stability. Society’s social institutions perform important functions to help ensure social stability. Slow social change is desirable, but rapid social change threatens social order. Functionalism is a macro theory. Society is characterized by pervasive inequality based on social class, gender, and other factors. Far-reaching social change is needed to reduce or eliminate social inequality and to create an egalitarian society. Conflict theory is a macro theory. Within the micro perspective, two other perspectives exist: symbolic interactionism and utilitarianism. People construct their roles as they interact; they do not merely learn the roles that society has set out for them. As this interaction occurs, individuals negotiate their definitions of the situations in which they find themselves and socially construct the reality of these situations. In so doing, they rely heavily on symbols such as words and gestures to reach a shared understanding of their interaction. Symbolic interactionism is a micro theory. People act to maximize their advantages in a given situation and to reduce their disadvantages. If they decide that benefits outweigh disadvantages, they will initiate the interaction or continue it if it is already under way. If they instead decide that disadvantages outweigh benefits, they will decline to begin interacting or stop the interaction if already begun. Social order is possible because people realize it will be in their best interests to cooperate and to make compromises when necessary. Utilitarianism is a micro theory. According to my viewpoint,micro perspective works more today since the world is becoming smaller and isolated. Social media especially is making people be with themselves rather than interacting with eachother especially social interactions. People are connecting with people on an individual basis. Groups have become smaller. Small group of people coming together,like taking intitatives in India to support the cleanliness drive is an example. Rather than working on a large scale,people now making 2-3 members groups and taking the onus in their own hands of cleaning their colonies. Which is great step towards motivating others at a macro level.
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