Structure or actions

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STRUCTURE

The macro or large scale way of looking at the society

For structuralists, sociology should be the study of effects of the structure of society on social life.

Patterns created by structure such as religions,the family, organisations or the marxists capitalism are seen to be the starting point of anything in society.

some argue that an increase in unemployment will lead to an increase in crime rate or that social disintegration is the reason for suicide

social facts are definite realities

ACTION

Micro or small scale interaction.

Sociologists argue that each of us have a different way and assumptions of looking at the world.

instead of investigating the world which already exists

they argue that structural clues to social causes and effects should be abandoned in favour of piecing together individuals.

this involves the analysis of social ACTION, not the intangible structures they are thought to inhabit.

social facts do not exist but are created and constructed in process of social interaction.

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