Pooja MalaniAIR 306 · CSE 2023 · 374 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Micro and Macro are two classical approaches for sociological understanding evolved through time.
Self and society refer to individual and sum total of all individuals respectively.
Body · points and prose
Sociological Understanding of self
According to macro perspective, self-development is possible due to sui-generis development of society.
However, it differs from micro perspective on self which takes into account individual's role also in terms of meanings & motives.
Micro v/s Macro on self
| Basis | Macro approach | Micro approach |
|---|---|---|
| ① Idea | Individual's self is secondary to society. [Durkheim] | Social system is primary but 'self' makes working of system possible - [Mead] |
| ② Methodology | Positivism ⇒ Individuals react to an external stimuli in predefined manner. ⇒ Social facts can be observed | Phenomenologists (Non Positivism) argue members are constantly constructing the external world. ⇒ Ways of constructing to be studied. |
| Basis | Macro Approach | Micro Approach |
|---|---|---|
| ③ Process of development | Macro sociologists argued that people pursue cultural directives of society and 'self' is developed. | Symbolic Interactionist like Mead said 'self' develops through constant interaction process - game and play stage |
Micro v/s Macro on Society
| Basis | Macro Approach | Micro Approach |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Idea of society | society is sui generis and constrains individuals' behaviour | self and society are twin born. |
| (2) Methodology | Positivism ⇒ Objective measurement of social facts. ⇒ No place for inner world. | Non Positivism ⇒ Subjective understanding of objective reality. |
| (3) Perception regarding society | Social actors are passive. Society defines social structure which ensures social order. Thus constraining individual | Meanings and motives need to be measured. [Alfred Schutz] said that social order is an illusion created by members |
Bridge between these two approaches is co-created by Parsons' theory of action systems symbolising synthesis between two.
Close · a summary
That is, social actions by individuals form social system and actions are sometimes shaped by society's values.
Hence, it can be said that both approaches along with their synthesis help in widening the scope of sociology.