Final answer:
Sociological focus on societal factors in understanding individual behaviors has been influenced by and diverged from psychological perspectives. Contributions from Freud to Gilligan have underscored the importance of self-development and socialization, while macro and micro-level sociological theories seek to explain broader social patterns. The questioning nature of modern intellectual history further examines the ideas that influence human actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major developments in social science that drive questions regarding studying the individual can be traced back to foundational changes in both psychology and sociology. Initially influenced by psychological insights into human behavior, sociologists began to focus on societal factors in understanding an individual's behavior and their relationship with the world. This was a shift from the inward-looking psychological perspective to an outward societal perspective. Sociology, as a discipline aimed to apply scientific methodologies to comprehend societal changes and individual roles, particularly after the Industrial Revolution. Seminal contributions from thinkers like Freud, Cooley, Mead, Kohlberg, and Gilligan offered rich insights into the process of self-development and the subsequent socialization of the individual. In terms of theoretical perspectives, sociology has developed macro-level theories like structural functionalism and conflict theory, as well as micro-level theories like symbolic interactionism. These theories help explain social events, interactions, and patterns. Throughout the twentieth century, particularly after World War I, the pessimism over inevitable human progress and the questioning of elite authorities led to an increased focus on the irrational aspects of human behavior. This set the stage for contemporary intellectual history, which delves into philosophical questions and the ideas that drive human thought and actions.