Erving Goffman is best known for the dramaturgical approach, which uses the metaphor of theater to explain social interaction. He argued that individuals are like actors on a stage, managing 'impressions' and performing roles to influence how others perceive them in various social settings.

Symbolic interactionism is uniquely suited to examine how global inequality is experienced and interpreted at the individual level. By focusing on daily interactions, symbols, and the meanings people attach to their social status, this perspective reveals how global economic disparities manifest in personal lives, self-perception, and social relationships. It provides insight into how individuals navigate and make sense of their position within a stratified global society.

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes the role of symbols and language in social interaction. George Herbert Mead is considered a founder, while Erving Goffman and Howard Becker are key figures in its development. Antonio Gramsci, however, is a prominent Marxist theorist best known for his work on cultural hegemony and the role of intellectuals in political struggle, which falls under conflict theory rather than symbolic interactionism.

George Herbert Mead is widely recognized as a foundational figure in symbolic interactionism. His work focused on how individuals develop a sense of self through social interaction and the interpretation of symbols. Mead argued that human behavior is not merely a reaction to external stimuli but is mediated by the meanings individuals assign to their social environment and the gestures of others.

The interactionist perspective focuses on micro-level social interactions. In digital spaces, this approach examines how users interpret symbols, negotiate identities, and establish social norms through text-based communication. It is the most effective framework for understanding how relationships are formed and maintained in virtual environments through ongoing social exchange.

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that emphasizes how individuals create meaning through social interaction. It examines how people interpret symbols, gestures (emblems), and the actions of others (figures) to construct their social reality. By focusing on the individual's subjective experience and their interactions with others, it encompasses the study of these various elements of communication and social life.

Robert K. Merton introduced the concept of 'middle-range theory' to bridge the gap between grand, abstract theories of society and narrow, empirical research. He argued that sociology should focus on theories that are specific enough to be tested through empirical data but broad enough to explain various social phenomena, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of overly speculative or overly descriptive work.

Structural functionalism views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. Émile Durkheim is considered the primary intellectual forefather of this perspective, as his work on social facts, social integration, and the division of labor emphasized how social structures function to maintain the equilibrium of the social body.

Functionalism, often referred to as structural functionalism, views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and solidarity. It emphasizes the social structures that maintain the equilibrium of the social system.

Structural-functionalism views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It focuses on the functions of social structures, such as institutions, in maintaining the overall equilibrium of the social system.