This document discusses different paradigms and theories in sociology. It covers the paradigms of social facts/naturalist perspective/macro analysis, definition of social/humanist or interpretive perspective/micro analysis, and integrated perspective.
The social facts paradigm is influenced by Emile Durkheim and views the object of study in sociology as social facts existing at the societal and group level outside individuals, such as social institutions, values, and norms. It focuses analysis on structures and sees society as constraining human action.
The definition of social paradigm is influenced by Max Weber and views the object of study as social action, which involves meaningful actions directed at others. It focuses on human creativity and sees