Final answer:
Verstehen is a concept introduced by Weber and Dilthey that emphasizes the need to understand social behavior from the point of view of those engaged in it, it's a deep empathic approach to sociology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Verstehen is a German term that means 'to understand in a deep way' and is associated with the work of sociologists like Max Weber. It involves an attempt by outside observers to understand a social world—an entire culture or a smaller setting—from an insider's perspective. This concept highlights the importance of empathy and understanding the subjective meanings that people attach to their actions and social roles, especially when studying social behavior.
While the sociological perspective focuses on the interconnections between individuals, groups, and institutions, which can be studied on both micro and macro levels, Verstehen specifically calls for a deep understanding of the motivations and meanings from the actors' points of view. Micro-level studies might study small group interactions, whereas macro-level analysis looks at broader social structures and processes.