ANTA01H3 Lecture Notes - Social Evolution, Social Darwinism, Talcott Parsons
Document Summary
Macrosociology: an approach to sociology that analyzes social systems and populations on a large scale studies society as a whole ex: understanding religion by studying religion as a whole (as a social institution) Microsociology: the study of small groups and individuals in the society. Microsociologists are interested in understanding the bases of social action and interaction they study the role and interactions a small group/person has on society ex: understanding religion by looking at individual worshipers. Belief that a society is stable when social institutions (family, religion, politics etc. ) meet the needs of its citizens. Believe that structures/institutions of society work interdependently to meet the needs of the individuals structural functionalists study how these structures work together to help society function. Emile durkheim was a french sociologist (influenced by comte), who helped propel sociology forward along with karl marx and max weber. His theories provided the foundation of structural functionalism, and many are still used today.
