Final answer:
A worldview is a set of beliefs and theories that helps individuals understand a wide range of life issues, influenced by personal and social factors. In sociology, worldviews are guided by paradigms like structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, which provide frameworks for understanding social life.
Step-by-step explanation:
A set of beliefs and theories that assist individuals in making sense of a wide range of issues in life is known as a worldview. Worldviews act as various lenses through which people interpret information and then act upon it. These lenses are influenced by elements such as gender, age, occupation, or education level within societies. In sociology, three paradigms—structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism—dominate thinking by providing broad perspectives that help explain many aspects of social life. A worldview encompasses various dimensions including beliefs, stories, rituals, and experiences handed down through generations. It translates the complexities of life into simplistic terms that a person can use to maneuver their intellectual ability, analyze situations, and make sense of the world.