Micro and Macro Level Approaches in Sociology
THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT Chapter 1
1.
Do you think that sociologists should try to reform society or to study it dispassionately?
2.
Of the three theoretical perspectives, which one would you prefer to use if you were a sociologist? Why?
3.
Considering the macro- and micro-level approaches in sociology, which one do you think better explains social life? Why?
Considering the macro- and micro-level approaches in sociology, which one do you think better explains social life? Why?
I had never felt heat like this before. This was northern Africa, and I wondered what it must be like closer to the equator. Sweat poured off me as the temperature climbed past 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
As we were herded into the building—which had no air conditioning—hundreds of people lunged toward the counter at the rear of the structure. With body crushed against body, we waited as the uniformed officials behind the windows leisurely examined each passport. At times like this, I wondered what I was doing in Africa. greeted me exotic—not unlike the scenes in Casablanca, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and other movies. The men, women, and even the children really did wear those white robes that reached down to their feet. What was especially striking was that the women were almost totally covered. Despite the heat, they wore not only full-length gowns but also head coverings that reached down over their foreheads and veils that covered their faces from the nose down. You could see nothing but their eyes—andAnd how short everyone was! The Arab women looked to be, on average, 5 feet, and the men only about three or four inches taller. As the only blue-eyed, blond, 6-foot-plus person around, and the only one who was wearing jeans and a pullover shirt, in a world of white-robed short people I stood out like a creature from another planet. Everyone stared. No matter where I went, they stared. Wherever I looked, I found brown eyes watching me intently. Even staring back at those
1.
Do you think that sociologists should try to reform society or to study it dispassionately?
2.
Of the three theoretical perspectives, which one would you prefer to use if you were a sociologist? Why?
3.
Considering the macro- and micro-level approaches in sociology, which one do you think better explains social life? Why?
Considering the macro- and micro-level approaches in sociology, which one do you think better explains social life? Why?
I had never felt heat like this before. This was northern Africa, and I wondered what it must be like closer to the equator. Sweat poured off me as the temperature climbed past 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
As we were herded into the building—which had no air conditioning—hundreds of people lunged toward the counter at the rear of the structure. With body crushed against body, we waited as the uniformed officials behind the windows leisurely examined each passport. At times like this, I wondered what I was doing in Africa. greeted me exotic—not unlike the scenes in Casablanca, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and other movies. The men, women, and even the children really did wear those white robes that reached down to their feet. What was especially striking was that the women were almost totally covered. Despite the heat, they wore not only full-length gowns but also head coverings that reached down over their foreheads and veils that covered their faces from the nose down. You could see nothing but their eyes—andAnd how short everyone was! The Arab women looked to be, on average, 5 feet, and the men only about three or four inches taller. As the only blue-eyed, blond, 6-foot-plus person around, and the only one who was wearing jeans and a pullover shirt, in a world of white-robed short people I stood out like a creature from another planet. Everyone stared. No matter where I went, they stared. Wherever I looked, I found brown eyes watching me intently. Even staring back at those