Microsociology

The micro- sociology (see the not always keen to remote antonym: Macro sociology ) is the part of sociology that deals with the social actions between individuals ( social actors ) in small social units (about couple relationships or small groups) and basic " fine structure " in the interpersonal behavior is concerned. An example would be how to develop from social action social relations, interactions arise in social relations from the smallest behavior hints alternating between age and ego and stop, or as the consequences of social action are constantly creating new playing field for new social action.

The Micro-Sociology analyzes the relationship between the actor and - Other - Company (or between several social actors ) and relies on its plane. Examples of micro-sociological theories are theories of action, role theories, theories of interaction and communication, ethnomethodology, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, theories of identity formation, rational choice theory ( rational choice theory ), Methodological individualism and constructivist approaches. Become interventions aimed at one speaks of Clinical Sociology.

Occasionally, it is assumed sociological disciplines of micro sociology served only qualitative methods and not quantitative. A branch of sociology and ethnomethodology is then easily overlooked by micro- sociologists. Sometimes the mention of the micro- sociology acts simply as a definition for macro sociology, ie for all sociology, the text does not cover macrosociological.