Microsociology
Microsociology is one of the main levels of analysis (or focuses) of
social interactions and agency on a small scale: face to face.[1]: 5 Microsociology is based on subjective interpretative analysis rather than statistical or empirical observation,[2]: 18–21 and shares close association with the philosophy of phenomenology. Methods include symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology; ethnomethodology in particular has led to many academic sub-divisions and studies such as micro-linguistical research and other related aspects of human social behaviour. Macrosociology, by contrast, concerns the social structure
and broader systems.
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Theory
Microsociology exists both as an umbrella term for perspectives which focus on agency, such as
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.
Competing frames of reference
Some have considered that
face-to-face interaction can be studied in at least three distinct (if overlapping) ways: psychology; intersubjectivity; and microsociology.[1]
: 22
Durkheimian approaches, and those drawn from ethology, especially in respect of interpersonal ritual;[2]: 84, 88–9 while followers of him have seen in a Durkheimian microsociology the key to the understanding of large-scale social conflict as well.[3]: 42 Erving Goffman's theories of social interaction challenged other sociologists to redirect their focus to the questionable aspects of social behavior.[4] Contrary to Erving Goffman's theory, Émile Durkheim believed that advanced methodological principles should guide sociologists and that they should research social fact.[4]
Influences
R.D. Laing was much influenced by Garfinkel's ideas on "degradation ceremonies".[7]
(Humanistic) social work
Key issues, categories and principles of the microsociology, such as human relations, face-to-face interaction, interpretive/
postmodern and innovative orientation from the contemporary social work, especially of the humanistic social work practice.[9]
Research
Research begins by evaluating the social life of the individuals with the goal of showing the reciprocal relationship between events/actions and the nature of the societal context in which they occur.[10]
Empirical evidence from recorded conversations and the microsociology of emotion has proved of particular interest to students of interaction ritual.[3]: 47
See also
References
- ^ a b Smelser, Neil J. 1997. Problematics of Sociology..
- ^ a b Goffman, Erving. 1972. Relations in Public.
- ^ a b Collins, Randall. 2004. Interaction Ritual Chains.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-393-92223-3.
- ^ Stack, George J. 1977. Satre's Philosophy of Social Existence. p. 56
- ^ Calhoun, Craig, et al. 2012. Contemporary Sociological Theory. p. 33.
- ^ Laing, R. D. 1984. The Politics of Experience. p. 86.
- ^ Stefaroi, Petru. 2012. "Humanistic Paradigm of Social Work or Brief Introduction in Humanistic Social Work." Social Work Review 10(1):161–74.
- ^ Malcolm Payne. 2011. Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice. Chicago: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 9.
- ISBN 9781405124331.
Further reading
- Turner, Jonathan H. Sociology Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2006.
External links
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