Final answer:
Micro-sociology analyses social interactions and relationships on a small scale, including the study of daily interactions among individuals and small groups, focusing on the creation of society through shared symbols.
Step-by-step explanation:
Micro-Sociology and Its Perspectives
Micro-sociology is a branch of sociology that deals with the study of social interactions on a small scale. At the turn of the twentieth century, sociology shifted more towards a micro level of analysis as American sociologists became increasingly interested in the intricacies of smaller group interactions. This often involved incorporating psychological research methods. Micro-sociology focuses on the day-to-day interactions among individuals and within small groups, while also exploring how these interactions contribute to the larger social structure.
One primary theory of this field is symbolic interactionism, which examines how society is created and maintained through daily interactions based on a shared understanding of symbols. Analyses on this level can range from studying conversational norms among different social groups, like suburban teens or tech industry professionals, to examining how reality is socially constructed through these interactions.
Modern sociological thought continues to evolve, with contemporary theories often building upon classic sociological work while introducing new insights. Postmodern social theory, as a more recent development, takes a microanalytical approach that looks at the socially constructed nature of reality on a localized level, challenging older macro-level perspectives.