Macro-level theories approach the study of social life as it present in relationships among different systems in society, social systems, and institutional structures in society. It is the population in a social context that is that is at the center of importance. Macro-sociology theories analyze the pattern of different status within a population and their limitations on social relationships. Macro-level processes, therefore, concentrate on the impact of the social environment on individual' relations, and essential concepts are inequality, differentiation, and inequality. For this reason, particular macro theories have been applied to the population to intervene in societal issues. These macro theories include social exchange theory and conflict theory.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory is particularly applicable to understanding discrimination and justice, war, revolutions, wealth and poverty, exploitation, political strife, divorce, slavery, child abuse, rape, and more conflict associated social phenomena. Conflict Theory suggests that society is in a condition of continuous conflict and competition for scarce resources (Homan, 2011).
Conflict Theory presumes that person who has perpetually attempted to multiply their wealth at the suffering and expense of those who do not have. It is a power scramble which is most commonly conquered by the rich elite and lost by an ordinary individual of ordinary means (Betz, 2013). Power is the capability to acquire what one needs even in the existence of opposition. Similarly, authority involves institutionalized legalized power. By far, the Bourgeoisie rich elite (corporate, royalty, political leaders) retain the most authority. The bourgeoisie is the "Goliaths" within the society who usually bully their desires into outcomes. On the other hand, Proletariat represents the typical lower class, working class, and poor members of the populace. Consistent with Homan (2011) studies, the Proletariat and Bourgeoisie cannot hope both wins. And to counterbalance the power and wealth of the Bourgeoisie, the Proletariat usually rise and rebel against their autocrats (The Bolshevik, Mexican, French, U.S., and other revolts are examples) (Billari, 2015).
Homan (2011) studies recognized during ancient times that society does not have diverse classes and a typical pattern of comparatively few wealthy individuals compare to the mainstream who remain poor, the wealthy call the shots. In the United States, montage homes were run down, trashy, poor, and worth tremendously little. They were situated on The West site of the valley and a frustrated large population who inhabited the East side, forcing them to drive via these slums to reach their bungalows.
The Conflict Theory has been repetitively tested against methodologically derived data and it repetitively evidences to have a broad use in several various sociological investigation. That is not is to state that every sociological phenomenon is conflict-based. However, numerous Conflict theorists would maintain that more often than not, Conflict presumptions frequently apply. Feminist theory is a theoretical perspective that is understood mainly in Conflict Theory suppositions (Betz, 2013).
Social Exchange Theory
Social exchange idea asserts that society is comprised of ever existing interactions among people who tray to maximize rewards whereas minimizing costs. Assumptions in this theory are the same to assumption theory suppositions yet have their interactistic reinforcements. Naturally, humans are rational creatures, able to make a sound choice after advantages and disadvantages of the choice are unspoken. This theory employs a formula for measuring the choice making procedures (Billari, 2015).
According to Homan (2011) findings, people look at the existing options and weigh as best they could how to minimize their losses and maximize their rewards. One of the influential factors in this hypothesis is the concept of Equity. Equity is a logic that the interactions are just to you and others implicated in the consequences of people's choices. For instance, why do women who work 40hrs per week have husbands who work 40 hours weekly do not perform a similar number of weekly childcare and housework. Most frequently, it is a sense of equity or fairness. Since she describes it as her responsibility to handle childcare and housework, while he does not; as they incline to fight when she attempts to make him perform housework, and since she might think he is ineffectual, they survive with the inequitable arrangement as if it were equitable.
Social exchange brings contentment when people get fair earnings for their expense. The primary difference between economic and social exchange is the status of the exchange between the players. In contrast with economic exchange, the components of social exchange are different and cannot be decreased to one overall exchange rate (Billari, 2015).
All the two theories can be applied to study any person and collective behaviors. However, one may work better than the other since their assumptions more accurately match the matter of interest. Divorce may be assessed from the Conflict Theory to aid understand how things turned adversarial and how way disputed divorces in some cases become violent. Divorce may be studied by applying Social Exchange Theory to understand the choices and processes that contributed to the eventual divorce decision; child custody decrees, distribution of properties and the final legal change of status. Divorce may be assessed by employing the Symbolic Interactionism Theory to determine how population define their responsibilities before, during, and following the divorce and the way they regenerate new responsibilities as unmarried grownups (Homan, 2011).
References
Betz, V. M. (2013). Measurement and meaning of archeological diversity.
Billari, F. C. (2015). Integrating macro- and micro-level approaches in the explanation of population change. Population Studies, 69(Sup1). Retrieved March 20, 2016.
Homan. W. (2011). Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.
