1. I. Micro Sociology: Studying Social Interaction 미시사회학 Groupthink video clip II. Two Types of Micro-Sociological Theories A. Rational Choice/Exchange Theories B. Symbolic Interactionist Theories

2. A Bit of Disciplinary History Early sociologists like Durkheim emphasized the power of society over individuals This led to some excesses: “ the oversocialized conception of humans ” (Dennis Wrong) people conceived of as puppets Micro-sociological perspectives seek a more accurate balance between the individual and society

3. Micro-Sociology Today the interplay between the individual and the group 개인과 집단간의 상호작용 A focus on social interaction as the place where the individual and the group come together a strategy of building from the micro to the macro level of society

4. A Study in Social Interaction: Groupthink ( 집단사고 ) and the 1986 Decision to Launch the Challenger Link from syllabus Similar concerns arose from the Columbia disaster in 2003

5. Two Types of Micro-Sociological Theories A. Rational Choice/Exchange Theories focus on individuals making choices rationally to maximize their preferences. a way of thinking strongly influenced by economics

6. Can rational choice theories explain the actions of a Mother Theresa?

7. B. Symbolic Interactionist Theories pay attention to what rational choice theories tend to take for granted: the “ meanings ” that inform people ’ s preferences and choices a focus on symbols and interaction key idea: the social construction of meaning. Question: When several people come together, how is the meaning of the encounter determined? George Herbert Mead

8. A Key Concept in Symbolic Interactionism Definition of the situation Thomas Theorem: If people define a situation as real, then it is real in its consequences

9. Another Key Concept in Symbolic Interactionsism: Social construction of the self looking glass self (Charles Horton Cooley

10. Do these concepts help us understand what was happening in the Challenger case? How do rational choice and symbolic interactionist perspectives get us to look at this case in different ways?