Macro & Micro

• What perspective do structural theories often have?

  Macro perspective
• Why do structural theories look at large scale trends?

  Because they focus on macro-level social processes
• What type of social processes are structural theories interested in?

  Large scale social processes
• How might a structural theorist study the education system?

  By examining its impact on people's job opportunities
• What perspective do action theories often have?

  Micro perspective
• What do action theories focus on?

  Smaller interactions and areas of society
• How do action theorists view the influence of individuals on society?

  They believe individuals can influence society
• How might an action theorist study young people's behavior?

  By comparing their actions in a classroom to their actions at home
• What perspective do structural theories take?

  Macro perspective
• What are structural theories interested in?

  Large scale social processes and trends
• What perspective do action theorists take?

  Micro perspective
• What do action theorists focus on?

  Small scale interactions between people or groups
• How does the perspective taken impact research conducted?

  It influences the type of research methods used
• What type of research are micro perspectives more interested in?

  Research involving a small number of people
• What research methods are likely used by micro perspectives?

  Unstructured interviews or observations
• What type of data are micro perspectives more likely to collect?

  Qualitative data
• What type of research are macro perspectives more interested in?

  Research involving a lot of people
• What research methods are likely used by macro perspectives?

  Questionnaires, structured interviews, or official statistics
• What type of data are macro perspectives more likely to collect?

  Quantitative data
• What are the key differences between structural theories and action theories?

  • Structural theories take a macro perspective and focus on large scale social processes.
  • Action theories take a micro perspective and focus on small scale interactions.
  • Structural theories believe in limited free will, while action theories emphasize individual choice.
  • Structural theories collect quantitative data, whereas action theories collect qualitative data.
• What view do structural theories have regarding free will?

  They have a deterministic view, believing humans have little free will
• What do structural theories often investigate?

  Social stability and changes in society
• What type of data do structural theories use in their research methods?

  Quantitative data
• What methods do structural theories typically use for data collection?

  Surveys, structured interviews, and official statistics
• What do action theories believe about human free will?

  They believe humans have a lot of free will
• What do action theories focus on in their research?

  Small scale social interactions between people
• What type of data do action theories collect?

  Qualitative data
• What methods do action theories typically use for data collection?

  Observations and unstructured interviews