Perspectives on Sociological Theory, Vol. 2: Micro-Sociological Theory

Micro-Sociological Theory provides a comparative appraisal of the most significant modern approaches to micro-theory and social psychology, focusing on the numerous trends toward convergence with macro-theoretical paradigms. The first part of the volume examines recent developments in role theory and frame analysis. Contemporary theories of social relationship systems, use of the concept of 'situation' in role theory and the application of structural analysis to the study of small groups have in an important way marked an erosion of the traditional line of division between 'structuralist' macro-theories and 'interactionist' micro-theories.The second part of the volume refers to current debates in ethnomethodology on the mediatory role of language, collective symbols and the socio-cultural sources of emotional experience. Emerging from this body of work is a new definition of the context in which individuals act: use of the concept of 'situation' rather than group, organization or society as a unit of analysis has marked a further integration of macro- and micro-theoretical approaches in social psychology.Together with its companion, Macro-Sociological Theory, this volume provides a major review of recent sociological debate and confronts theoretical problems common to all areas of sociological analysis.