XX century was a time of very rapid development of social science.Modern Western sociology just occurred in this period.It was in this period there was a set of theories and trends, have established national Sociological Society and the International Sociological Association, develop applied methods of empirical studies, which are carried out within the framework of scientific research centers.
Modern Western sociology originated in Europe, but with the 20-ies of XX century.leading position in sociology moved to the United States.In this country, the science of sociology developed as an applied science, which focuses on the positivistic idea of the accuracy and objectivity of scientific evidence.Thanks to American researcher of sociology theoretical science turned into action.
parallel with these tendencies of modern Western sociology developed in other countries as a fundamental academic sociology.This led to the conditional division of sociology at the applied and theoretical.
Modern Western sociology as a discipline is divided into a sufficiently large number of different scientific fields and schools.Classify them is difficult because they are different and theoretical orientation, and time of occurrence, and research methodology.
One of the most logical and common classifications is as follows.Sociological direction divided into two bulky groups.The first is "macrosociological" theory, the essence of which is to postulate the primacy of society in relation to a single individual.The logic of this research group involves the movement from the private to the general, that is the concept of "personality" of the concept of "society" and "social system."
Getting these theories goes back to the teachings of Comte, Durkheim, G.Spencer.This group also includes structural and functional analysis (headed by T. Parsons), conflict theory (headed by L. Coser and Dahrendorf), structuralism (Levi-Strauss, Foucault), technological determinism (V. Rostow, R. Drone, D. Bell, George. Galbraith), neo-evolutionism (J. Stewart, L. White, J.. Murdoch), and others.
The second group includes "microsociological" theory, that the focus on pushingin the first place - the personality, the individual person.They seek to explain the general sociological laws, analyze inner world of man, especially the interaction of a person with others participating society.The methodology of this group of scientists requires movement from the particular to the general, from the human to the public system.Start folding
these theories refers to the views of M. Weber, some representatives psychosociology (G. Tarde, L. Ward, Pareto).Western sociology in this direction is now represented by symbolic interactionism (A. Stress, Charles Cooley, H. Blumer, A. Rose, John. Mead, G. Stone), phenomenological sociology (Schutz, Luckmann T.), the theory of exchange (J.. Homans, P. Blau), ethnomethodology (Garfinkel G., A. Sikurela) and others.
theories that relate to a particular group methodology may well differ quite significantly and the area of interest, and at the treatmentthe phenomena under consideration.
Modern Western sociology Dictionary leads an impressive list of schools and trends that are developing at the moment in Europe and America.Intensively developing and empirical and theoretical directions.Very popular now psychological sociologist of mass phenomena and processes.For the French school in a high interest in the study of the psychology of crowds.In addition, developing and technological direction of sociology.Developed the theory of industrial, post-industrial and information society.Develop military sociological direction.
