Microsociology

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Microsociology is one of the main branches (or focuses) of sociology, concerning the nature of everyday human social interactions and agency on a small scale. Microsociology is based on interpretative analysis rather than statistical or empirical observation, and shares close association with the philosophy of phenomenology. Methods includes symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology; ethnomethodology in particular has led to many academic sub-divisions and studies such as microlinguistical research and other related aspects of human social behaviour. Macrosociology, by contrast, concerns the social structure and broader systems.

Theory

Microsociology exists both as an umbrella term for perspectives which focus on agency, such as Max Weber's theory of social action, and as a body of distinct techniques, particularly in American sociology. The term was conceived by Harold Garfinkel to inquire into the methods people use to make sense of their social world. It also provided an extra dimension between the studies of social psychology, sociology, and social anthropology— focusing more on individual interaction and thinking within groups, rather than just large social group/societal behaviour. At the micro level, social status and social roles are the most important components of social structure. Microsociology forms an important perspective in many fields of study, including modern psychosocial studies, conversational analysis and human-computer interaction. Microsociology continues to have a profound influence on research in all human fields, often under other names.

Sartre, in his work on the phenomenology of social dynamics, Critique of Dialectical Reason, written in the late 1950s, called microsociology the only valid theory of human relations.^{[citation needed]}

The famous Psychiatrist, R.D. Laing, was much influenced by Garfinkel's ideas on `degradation ceremonies`. Another famous English writer/polymath who is greatly influenced by the ideas of studying the minutea of human Social action is Jonathan Miller.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Agency
• Social interaction
• Symbolic interactionism
• Socialization
• Mesosociology
• Macrosociology

References

Turner, Jonathan H. Sociology Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2006.

This sociology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Subfields of sociology Sociology stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая? Charles Thone Roving Enterprises Look at other dictionaries: microsociology — /muy kroh soh see ol euh jee, soh shee /, n. the sociological study of small groups and social units within a larger social system. Cf. macrosociology. [1940 45; MICRO + SOCIOLOGY] * * * …   Universalium microsociology — See macrosociology …   Dictionary of sociology microsociology — /muy kroh soh see ol euh jee, soh shee /, n. the sociological study of small groups and social units within a larger social system. Cf. macrosociology. [1940 45; MICRO + SOCIOLOGY] …   Useful english dictionary МИКРОСОЦИОЛОГИЯ — (microsociology) уровень социологического анализа, основанный на интеракциях лицом к лицу в повседневной жизни, на поведении в группах и т.д. (см. Символический интеракционизм; Этнометодология). Хотя термин часто связан с пониманием… …   Большой толковый социологический словарь Macrosociology — is a sociological approach that analyzes societies, social systems or populations on a large scale or at a high level of abstraction. [Craig Calhoun(ed) Dictionary of the Social Sciences (Article: Macrosociology), Oxford University Press, 2002]… …   Wikipedia History of sociology — Sociology is a relatively new academic discipline among other social sciences including economics, political science, anthropology, and psychology. The ideas behind it, however, have a long history and can trace their origins to a mixture of… …   Wikipedia Mesosociology — Sociology …   Wikipedia Dan Lungu — Born September 15, 1969(1969 09 15) Botoşani Occupation novelist, short story writer, sociologist, poet, dramatist, journalist Nationality Romanian Period 1995 …   Wikipedia macrosociology — is usually contrasted with microsociology. Whereas the former examines the wider structures , interdependent social institutions, global and historical processes of social life, the latter is more concerned with action , interaction, and the… …   Dictionary of sociology Symbolic interactionism — is a major sociological perspective that is influential in many areas of the discipline. It is particularly important in microsociology and social psychology.Symbolic interactionism is derived from American pragmatism and particularly from the… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”