Psychology & Sociology
In this lesson, we explore six major sociological theories that attempt to answer the question: what makes society the way it is? These theories can be divided into two broad fields: macrosociology and microsociology. Macrosociology studies large scale patterns in social systems, addressing topics such as war, poverty, racism, and religion. Some key theories in macrosociology are conflict theory, feminist theory, and structural functionalism. Microsociology, on the other hand, focuses on studying how people interact with one another, aiming to understand why people think, say, and do the things they do.
Among the key microsociological theories are symbolic interactionism and rational choice exchange theory. Symbolic interactionism suggests that interactions are shaped by symbolic communication, which is subjective and can result in different responses depending on interpretation. Rational choice exchange theory posits that people use cost-benefit analysis to weigh the pros and cons of an interaction, ultimately choosing behaviors that benefit them the most. Additionally, there's social constructionism, a theory that can fall anywhere between macro and micro, proposing that many aspects of society accepted as facts were actually created by people.
Lesson Outline
<ul> <li>Introduction</li> <ul> <li>Overview of six major sociological theories</li> <li>Difference between macrosociology and microsociology</li> </ul> <li>Macrosociology: The study of large scale patterns in social systems</li> <ul> <li>Conflict theory</li> <ul> <li>Developed by Karl Marx</li> <li>Focused on power struggles between those with power and those without</li> </ul> <li>Feminist theory</li> <ul> <li>An offshoot of conflict theory</li> <li>Focuses on patriarchal power structures</li> </ul> <li>Structural functionalism</li> <ul> <li>Society is a complex, interdependent system</li> <li>Components of society adapt to maintain stability</li> </ul> </ul> <li>Microsociology: The study of how people interact with one another</li> <ul> <li>Symbolic interactionism</li> <ul> <li>Interactions depend on symbolic communication</li> <li>People assign meaning to symbols through interaction and experience</li> </ul> <li>Rational choice exchange theory (also known as exchange theory)</li> <ul> <li>People weigh pros and cons of behavior to make choices in interactions</li> <li>Social benefits and costs influence relationships and actions</li> </ul> </ul> <li>Social constructionism: Can be viewed as both micro and macro depending on the approach</li> <ul> <li>Focuses on ideas created by people that become accepted as truth in society</li> <li>Examples include currency (i.e., money) and race</li> </ul> </ul>
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FAQs
Macrosociology focuses on the study of large-scale social structures, institutions, and historical patterns to understand the broader workings of society. It seeks to explain the formation and functioning of large social systems, such as political and economic systems. Some examples of macrosociological theories are Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Feminist Theory. In contrast, microsociology concentrates on the individual and small-scale social interactions to explain human behavior and social meanings within specific contexts. Some examples of microsociological theories are Social Constructionism, Symbolic Interactionism, and Rational Choice Exchange Theory.
Conflict theory, rooted in the works of Karl Marx, focuses on the role of social conflict and power struggles in shaping society. It posits that social inequalities occur because different groups within society compete for limited resources, resulting in the dominance of more powerful groups over less powerful ones. Inequality within society is thus maintained and perpetuated by the unequal distribution of resources and power. Conflict theory highlights the importance of critically analyzing social structures that perpetuate injustice and pushes for social change to address those inequalities.
Feminist theory is a collection of ideas and perspectives that center on the experiences, roles, and contributions of women in society. It seeks to understand and challenge the systems and structures that contribute to gender inequality. By examining the social, economic, and political factors that enforce and perpetuate gender disparities, feminist theory aims to promote gender equality and contribute to social justice movements. It also embraces the diversity of women's experiences by considering intersecting factors such as race, class, and sexual orientation in its analysis.
Social constructionism is a sociological theory that posits that social reality is constructed through the interactions and shared meanings of individuals and groups within society. This theory emphasizes the role of human agency in constructing social norms, values, and beliefs, suggesting that our understanding of reality is not objective but rather a product of our social contexts and historical processes. Social constructionism encourages us to question the taken-for-granted assumptions about the world and investigate how they are shaped by cultural practices, societal factors, and power dynamics.
Symbolic interactionism and rational choice exchange theory both fall under the umbrella of microsociology, as they focus on the individual and their social interactions. While symbolic interactionism places importance on the shared meanings and symbols that guide human behavior, rational choice exchange theory emphasizes the role of individual decision-making based on an assessment of costs and benefits. Both theories recognize the importance of human agency in shaping their social reality and suggest that human behavior is influenced by the ways people interpret and navigate their social environment. However, rational choice exchange theory emphasizes the strategic and calculated aspects of decision-making, while symbolic interactionism highlights the role of shared meanings and social context.
