Examples of Macro Sociology
Macro sociology examines how society operates as a whole, focusing on issues such as inequality, social structure, and social change. One example of macro sociology is the study of social stratification. Sociologists examine how wealth, power, and status are distributed in society and how this affects individuals’ life chances.
In the United States, income inequality has been rising steadily since the 1970s. According to data from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), “The top 1% have enjoyed wage growth of 138% since 1979 while wages for the bottom 90% grew just 15%. Income disparities have also widened.” This trend has had profound effects on American society, including increased poverty rates and decreased social mobility.
Another example of macro sociology is the study of globalization. Globalization refers to the interconnectedness of societies across national borders through trade, communication, travel, and other forms of exchange. Sociologists analyze how globalization affects economic systems, cultural values and beliefs, political systems, and environmental sustainability.
According to a report by The World Bank Group in 2019; “Global economy growth has slowed down from an annual rate exceeding 4% before 2008 to less than half that rate in recent years.” While globalization has brought many benefits such as access to new markets for businesses that can spur innovation but it also increases inequality by concentrating wealth in fewer hands while leaving many people behind.
Examples of Micro Sociology
Micro sociology examines the interactions between individuals and how they shape social structures. This field of sociology focuses on issues such as culture, socialization, and identity. One example of micro sociology is the study of social networks.
Social networks refer to the relationships that people have with others in their community or group. Sociologists study how these relationships influence individuals’ behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. Researchers also investigate how social networks can provide resources like emotional support or job opportunities.
Another example of micro sociology is the study of deviance. Deviance refers to behavior that violates societal norms or expectations. Sociologists investigate how people become deviant and how society reacts to deviant behavior.
A famous sociological experiment in this area is the Stanford Prison Experiment from 1971 which showed how quickly people can adopt roles and act out behavioral patterns that are commonly associated with certain roles when placed in situations that are similar to ones those roles are intended for (in this instance prison guards vs inmates). It’s important for sociologists who study deviance to understand why certain behaviors are considered deviant in different societies and why some groups may be more likely than others to engage in deviant behaviors.
Conclusion
Macro and micro sociology offer different perspectives on society and human behavior. While macro sociology focuses on large-scale societal structures like institutions, economies, culture; micro sociology studies individual interactions within small groups or communities as well as individual-level phenomena such as habits or attitudes towards social issues like gender or race relations. Both fields of inquiry provide valuable insights into society’s workings that can help us better understand what drives human behavior both individually and collectively.
