Micro-sociology is the study of individuals, including their
specified actions and behaviors. The interpretation of human behavior is determined through social interactions. It focuses on how an individual understands the people and the world around them. Phenomenology, symbolic interactionism, and dramaturgical approach were developed from micro-sociology. Drawing closely on phenomenology and symbolic interactionism, both approaches places an emphasis on human agency. Phenomenology studies an individual’s consciousness in relation to their own point of view. Symbolic interactionism uses symbols to gain an understanding
of how individuals interact with one another and their environment. These interpretations are concerned with the individual and his/her response to a certain location, symbol, interaction, etc. People develop their individuality while gaining a sense of how the society works. Focusing on a person and their interpersonal relations with others gives meaning and understanding to the world around them. As a result every action demonstrated by an individual derives from their specific thought or reasoning.
Phenomenology allows the opportunity for people to use their experiences
to gain meaning of things. Having knowledge about a certain thing is determined
through empirical sensory perception. This sensory knowledge a person possesses
is socially constructed. Therefore one’s understanding of an idea, symbol,
group, etc. is shaped by social and cultural values found in the society. This
knowledge helps a person to interpret their own experiences. Gender, a socially
constructed concept, is illustrated through the individual’s appearance and
physical features. Specifically, both males and females are represented in the
picture. The individual uses their gender role, assigned to them by the society,
to understand a given idea. In addition, the picture features people with
different attire which can define one’s occupation, educational level, and
social economic status. In an effort to understand the symbols found in the
society, the individual uses past experiences drawn from the roles they
maintain.
Since individuals are designated to a certain role it ultimately shapes
their thoughts and behaviors.
They are faced with certain situations, on multiple occasions, based on their
specified role. As a result their behavior is recognized as being habitual and
becomes institutionalized. The picture demonstrates the characters interacting
with one another discussing a given idea, symbol, etc. Hence the individual’s mouths are open, representing them articulating their interpretation. Since each
character has a habitual and an institutionalized way of thinking and acting,
when interacting with others, their specified thoughts and actions are already expected.
The observed patterns between individuals are also studied using a
symbolic interaction approach. This approach describes four claims: people act
based on meanings attached to them; interaction with others is essential for
determining meaning; an interpretive process is embedded in social interactions;
and social networks natural flow within society. These claims are symbolized
through the characters interacting with one another discussing a given subject
matter. The black box shown in the picture represents reality. Knowledge is
determined through reality which exists outside of individuals. This found knowledge is shared among persons as they interact with one another in society. As interactions are shared amongst actors their subjectivity contributes to
this knowledge. Interactions among these people shape different perspectives on
a given idea causing the construction of the social world (reality).
specified actions and behaviors. The interpretation of human behavior is determined through social interactions. It focuses on how an individual understands the people and the world around them. Phenomenology, symbolic interactionism, and dramaturgical approach were developed from micro-sociology. Drawing closely on phenomenology and symbolic interactionism, both approaches places an emphasis on human agency. Phenomenology studies an individual’s consciousness in relation to their own point of view. Symbolic interactionism uses symbols to gain an understanding
of how individuals interact with one another and their environment. These interpretations are concerned with the individual and his/her response to a certain location, symbol, interaction, etc. People develop their individuality while gaining a sense of how the society works. Focusing on a person and their interpersonal relations with others gives meaning and understanding to the world around them. As a result every action demonstrated by an individual derives from their specific thought or reasoning.
Phenomenology allows the opportunity for people to use their experiences
to gain meaning of things. Having knowledge about a certain thing is determined
through empirical sensory perception. This sensory knowledge a person possesses
is socially constructed. Therefore one’s understanding of an idea, symbol,
group, etc. is shaped by social and cultural values found in the society. This
knowledge helps a person to interpret their own experiences. Gender, a socially
constructed concept, is illustrated through the individual’s appearance and
physical features. Specifically, both males and females are represented in the
picture. The individual uses their gender role, assigned to them by the society,
to understand a given idea. In addition, the picture features people with
different attire which can define one’s occupation, educational level, and
social economic status. In an effort to understand the symbols found in the
society, the individual uses past experiences drawn from the roles they
maintain.
Since individuals are designated to a certain role it ultimately shapes
their thoughts and behaviors.
They are faced with certain situations, on multiple occasions, based on their
specified role. As a result their behavior is recognized as being habitual and
becomes institutionalized. The picture demonstrates the characters interacting
with one another discussing a given idea, symbol, etc. Hence the individual’s mouths are open, representing them articulating their interpretation. Since each
character has a habitual and an institutionalized way of thinking and acting,
when interacting with others, their specified thoughts and actions are already expected.
The observed patterns between individuals are also studied using a
symbolic interaction approach. This approach describes four claims: people act
based on meanings attached to them; interaction with others is essential for
determining meaning; an interpretive process is embedded in social interactions;
and social networks natural flow within society. These claims are symbolized
through the characters interacting with one another discussing a given subject
matter. The black box shown in the picture represents reality. Knowledge is
determined through reality which exists outside of individuals. This found knowledge is shared among persons as they interact with one another in society. As interactions are shared amongst actors their subjectivity contributes to
this knowledge. Interactions among these people shape different perspectives on
a given idea causing the construction of the social world (reality).