Micro-sociology is the study of how people initiate and respond to various social environments, conditions, and interactions. Micro-sociology is based on how people interact with each other, meaning and interpretations of these interactions, and lived experiences. These interactions can be affected by various biological and psychological factors and how one makes sense of his/her world.
A well-known method of micro-sociology is ethno methodology. Ethno methodology is when an individual chooses certain behaviors based on certain assumptions learned over the course of their life. These assumptions are usually developed from the shared knowledge of society, are naturally formed during childhood, and provide the basis of one’s future behavior.
Another approach of micro-sociological analysis is symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism, according to Herbert Blumer, is the process of interaction in the formation of meanings for individuals and is the study of human group life and conduct. There are three core principles of symbolic interactionism: meaning, thought, and language. Meaning is how humans act toward people based on the meanings that they have given to those people. Language is a way in which people negotiate meanings through symbols. Language is an extent of knowledge and helps one to receive more meaning and interpretation of the other. Thought, based on language, is the mental dialogue one has, which requires imagining different point of views.
Now that I have finished breaking down the principles and meaning of micro-sociology, we can move on to race. Race is the classification system used to categorize humans into groups based on phenotypic characteristics. Our society has been built on the foundation of race ever since the Europeans first founded the Americas. For many years, people of color were subject to discrimination and were thought to be inferior. Since this concept of meaning has been around for so many years, it has been instilled in our thought process. Race in micro-sociology is how people interact with a person of a different race. These interactions can vary according to whether a person is racist, as well as the stereotypes that are associated with a race. An interaction on a first time encounter between a person of color and a white person can vary tremendously. A can vary due to whether one is racist, both are not racist, or both are racist. During the interaction, if one person is racist it can be evident. Usually one can tell by the other’s lack of interest in the interaction and body language. This can make the interaction highly uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. If both people are not racist, the interaction, more than likely, will go smoothly and there will be almost no effort to converse with one another. Now, if both people are racist the interaction will be more than likely verbally and physically dangerous or both people will simply ignore each other.
Ethno-methodology in race is stereotypes of a race. When we are young, we usually learn of these stereotypes and sometimes, we may subconsciously use these stereotypes during everyday interactions. Whether intentional or not, society has instilled racial stereotypes in our thought process and through media. Media plays a huge role in shaping how people look at race. It also, shapes how one looks at his/her own race.
When it comes to symbolic interactionism and race, I only want to focus on the meaning principle. As stated earlier, meaning is how humans act toward people based on the meanings that they have given to those people. Meaning can be given to someone through experience or through word-of-mouth. Many times people use what they hear to assume how a person of a different race acts and this can determine whether their experience with someone of another race will be good or bad.
Micro-sociology in race is how people perceive their selves to be and others. If someone of a particular race are told repeatedly, for many years, that they are inferior to another race, in some cases that person will subconsciously believe it. Is this the reason why people of color are considered less successful in our society because they were told that they are inferior to white people? Just a thought.
A well-known method of micro-sociology is ethno methodology. Ethno methodology is when an individual chooses certain behaviors based on certain assumptions learned over the course of their life. These assumptions are usually developed from the shared knowledge of society, are naturally formed during childhood, and provide the basis of one’s future behavior.
Another approach of micro-sociological analysis is symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism, according to Herbert Blumer, is the process of interaction in the formation of meanings for individuals and is the study of human group life and conduct. There are three core principles of symbolic interactionism: meaning, thought, and language. Meaning is how humans act toward people based on the meanings that they have given to those people. Language is a way in which people negotiate meanings through symbols. Language is an extent of knowledge and helps one to receive more meaning and interpretation of the other. Thought, based on language, is the mental dialogue one has, which requires imagining different point of views.
Now that I have finished breaking down the principles and meaning of micro-sociology, we can move on to race. Race is the classification system used to categorize humans into groups based on phenotypic characteristics. Our society has been built on the foundation of race ever since the Europeans first founded the Americas. For many years, people of color were subject to discrimination and were thought to be inferior. Since this concept of meaning has been around for so many years, it has been instilled in our thought process. Race in micro-sociology is how people interact with a person of a different race. These interactions can vary according to whether a person is racist, as well as the stereotypes that are associated with a race. An interaction on a first time encounter between a person of color and a white person can vary tremendously. A can vary due to whether one is racist, both are not racist, or both are racist. During the interaction, if one person is racist it can be evident. Usually one can tell by the other’s lack of interest in the interaction and body language. This can make the interaction highly uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. If both people are not racist, the interaction, more than likely, will go smoothly and there will be almost no effort to converse with one another. Now, if both people are racist the interaction will be more than likely verbally and physically dangerous or both people will simply ignore each other.
Ethno-methodology in race is stereotypes of a race. When we are young, we usually learn of these stereotypes and sometimes, we may subconsciously use these stereotypes during everyday interactions. Whether intentional or not, society has instilled racial stereotypes in our thought process and through media. Media plays a huge role in shaping how people look at race. It also, shapes how one looks at his/her own race.
When it comes to symbolic interactionism and race, I only want to focus on the meaning principle. As stated earlier, meaning is how humans act toward people based on the meanings that they have given to those people. Meaning can be given to someone through experience or through word-of-mouth. Many times people use what they hear to assume how a person of a different race acts and this can determine whether their experience with someone of another race will be good or bad.
Micro-sociology in race is how people perceive their selves to be and others. If someone of a particular race are told repeatedly, for many years, that they are inferior to another race, in some cases that person will subconsciously believe it. Is this the reason why people of color are considered less successful in our society because they were told that they are inferior to white people? Just a thought.