Macro & Micro Flashcards
What is macro sociology?
A large-scale approach that examines society as a whole, focusing on structures, institutions, and systems that shape human behavior.
What is micro sociology?
A small-scale approach that focuses on individual or group interactions, social meanings, and everyday experiences.
What is the key difference between macro and micro sociology?
Macro sociology looks at society-wide patterns, while micro sociology examines individual interactions and meanings.
Which sociological perspectives take a macro approach?
- Functionalism – Society is a system of interdependent parts working together for stability.
- Marxism – Society is structured by class conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat.
- Feminism – Society is structured by gender inequality and patriarchy.
What is structural determinism?
The idea that social structures shape human behavior rather than individuals shaping society.
How does functionalism view society from a macro perspective?
Society is like a biological organism where institutions (e.g., family, education, government) function to maintain stability and social order.
How does Marxism take a macro approach?
It views society as shaped by economic structures and class struggle, with institutions reinforcing capitalist interests.
How does feminism apply a macro approach?
It examines how gender inequality is maintained by social structures such as the family, education, and the workplace.
Which sociological perspectives take a micro approach?
- Symbolic Interactionism – Focuses on small-scale interactions and how individuals create meaning through symbols.
- Ethnomethodology – Examines how people make sense of everyday life through shared norms and assumptions.
How does symbolic interactionism explain human behavior?
People act based on meanings they attach to things, which are created and modified through social interaction.
What is meant by “the social construction of reality”?
The idea that reality is shaped by social interactions, where people give meaning to objects, events, and behaviors.
How do micro approaches view social order?
Social order is maintained through ongoing interactions and the shared meanings people create in everyday life.
What are the strengths of macro sociology?
• Provides a broad perspective on social structures and patterns.
• Explains large-scale social issues like inequality, power, and institutions.
• Helps understand long-term social change.
What are the weaknesses of macro sociology?
• Overlooks individual agency and daily interactions.
• Can be too deterministic, assuming structures control behavior.
• Fails to account for diversity in individual experiences.
What are the strengths of micro sociology?
• Provides deep insight into individual experiences and interactions.
• Explains how meanings and identities are socially constructed.
• Highlights the flexibility of social life.
What are the weaknesses of micro sociology?
• Ignores large-scale social structures and power dynamics.
• Hard to generalize findings beyond small groups.
• Can lack scientific objectivity due to reliance on qualitative methods.
What is structuration theory?
A theory by Anthony Giddens that combines macro and micro approaches, arguing that individuals shape society through their actions, but society also influences individuals.
Why is a combined approach useful in sociology?
It provides a more complete understanding of social life by recognizing both large-scale structures and individual interactions.
