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Levels of analysis: microsociology and macrosociology

  • One important distinction between different theoretical perspective involves the level of analysis at which each is directed. The study of everyday behaviour in situation of face-to-face interaction is usually called mircosociology, while macrosociology is the analysis of large-scale social structures and long-term process of change. At first glance, it might seem that microanalysis and macroanalysis are entirely distinct from one another, but infact the two are closely connected. 

  • Macroanalysis is essential if we are to understand the institutional backdrop of daily life. The ways in which people live their everyday lives are influenced by social institution, as is obvious when we consider the impact our lives of the education system, the political framework and the system of laws by which we live. Similarly, while we may many choose to send acquaintance an email message, we can also choose to fly thousands off miles to spend the weekend with a friend. Neither of these communication would be possible without the amazingly complex global infrastructure of our world and the many people, organization and institutions required to build and operate them. 

  • Microanalysis is in turn necessary for illuminating the details of such broad institutional patterns. Face-to-face interaction is clearly the main basis of all forms of social organization, no matter how large the scale. Suppose we are studying a bussiness corporation. We can understand it's activities by looking at face-to-face behaviour - the interaction of directors in the boardroom, workers in the various officers, or workers on the factory floor. We may not build up a complete picture of the whole corporation this way, but could certainly make a significant contribution to understanding how the organization works 'on the ground'. 

  • Of course, people don't live their lives as isolated individuals, nor are their lives completely determined by large social structures. Sociology tells us that everyday life is lived in families, social groups, communities and neighborhoods. At this level  -  the meso (or 'middle') level of society - it is possible to see the influence and effects of both micro and macro - level phenomena. Many sociological studies of local communities deal with the macrosociological impact of huge social changes, such as economic restructuring, but they also explore the way in which individuals, group and social movement cole with such changes and turn them to their advantage. 

  • For example, when in the mid - 1980s the British government decided to reduce the role of coal it is energy policy, this was disastrous for traditional mining communities, as as people's livelihoods were threatened by mine closures and unemployment. However, many former miners retrained with local companies to find work in other industries. Similarly, the 2008 financial crisis led to rising unemployment and failling living Stander's, but this also forced some people to learn new skills or start their own small businesses. Individuals are not simply at the mercy of large - scale social and economic changes but adapt creatively to them. Studying the community level of social life provides a window through which to observe the interaction of micro and macro levels of society. Much applied research (research with a practical aim) in sociology takes place at this meso level of social reality. 

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