George Ritzer

What is Ritzer's main argument?

Sociology contains multiple paradigms and should integrate different theoretical approaches and levels of analysis.

What is a multiparadigm discipline?

A discipline containing several theoretical perspectives that explain social phenomena differently.

What are Ritzer's three main paradigms?

Social facts, social definition, and social behaviour.

What does the social facts paradigm emphasize?

Large-scale social structures, institutions, and external social forces.

What does the social definition paradigm emphasize?

The meanings and interpretations individuals attach to social action.

What does the social behaviour paradigm emphasize?

Observable behaviour, reinforcement, and social exchange.

What are Ritzer's two continua?

Micro to macro and objective to subjective.

What are Ritzer's four levels of social analysis?

Macro-objective, macro-subjective, micro-objective, and micro-subjective.

What is macro-objective analysis?

The study of large-scale observable structures such as institutions and laws.

What is macro-subjective analysis?

The study of large-scale shared meanings, values, and culture.

What is micro-objective analysis?

The study of small-scale observable behaviour and interaction.

What is micro-subjective analysis?

The study of individual meanings, interpretations, and perceptions.

What is Ritzer's criticism of Collins?

A narrowly focused radical microsociology cannot adequately cover the full range of sociological phenomena.

What does Ritzer propose for sociology's future?

Greater theoretical integration across paradigms and levels of analysis.

Where did Ritzer predict exciting macro-level work would emerge?

Marxian traditions, including economic sociology, historical Marxist analysis, and critical theory.

Did Collins' radical microsociological program dominate sociology by 2026?

No. Collins became influential, but interviews, surveys, and historical methods remain widely used.

How could social media benefit microsociological research?

It provides extensive records of self-presentation and online interaction.

What are limitations of social media research?

Selective posting, online behaviour differing from offline behaviour, platform demographics, and algorithmic influence.

How might generative AI change sociological research?

It could reduce the labour needed to process large quantities of videos and transcripts, making new research possible. This was the instructor's suggestion, not Ritzer's prediction.