Final answer:
Micro-level theories in sociology focus on individual circumstances and interactions, often explored by symbolic interactionism, unlike macro-level theories which look at larger societal and institutional trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
Micro-level theories in sociology are primarily focused on individual circumstances of life or personal characteristics. These theories investigate how individuals interact with others in their immediate environments, such as within families, friendships, and small social groups. Sociologists using this approach may analyze individual behaviors, social interactions, and the meanings people assign to their experiences. An example of a theoretical perspective that often operates at the micro-level is symbolic interactionism, which examines how individuals create and interpret symbols within their daily lives.
When sociologists perform micro-level studies, they look at the specifics of an individual's behavior patterns and social interactions within a smaller context. They might explore topics such as the way language is used in daily conversations among certain groups, the individual effects of social institutions like religion on a person's sense of support and well-being, or the impact of situational factors in social psychology.