Final answer:
Macro-level sociology examines how societal trends, structures, and cultural norms function and change on a broader, often global level. It differs from micro-level sociology, which focuses on individual or small group interactions, by addressing the processes that affect large groups and institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Macro-level sociology looks at large-scale social processes, such as social change, societal structures, and cultural shifts. This level of sociological analysis is concerned with trends among and between large groups and institutions on a national and/or global scale. For instance, macro-level studies might assess changes in language use over time across social media platforms globally or investigate the overarching social factors that influence large populations, such as gross national income, legal systems, or health care policies.
Classic sociological theories like those of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim contribute to the foundation of macro-level analysis, while contemporary sociological research builds upon these to understand complex societal questions. These macro-level theories attempt to explain large-scale relationships and fundamental social phenomena such as why societies form and how they evolve over time.