What type of analysis focuses on whole societies and large-scale social structures?

The correct answer, macrolevel analysis, is focused on understanding broad patterns and structures within societies as a whole. This type of analysis looks at large-scale social phenomena, including institutions, organizations, and societal trends, rather than individual behaviors or small groups. By examining these large-scale elements, macrolevel analysis provides insights into how societal forces shape social dynamics and can highlight issues such as social inequality, national policies, or global economic systems.

In contrast, microlevel analysis examines individual interactions and small group dynamics, making it more concerned with the day-to-day workings of society rather than its overarching structures. Macroeconomic analysis focuses specifically on economic aspects, such as inflation or unemployment rates, which is a narrower lens compared to the broader sociological focus of macrolevel analysis. Symbolic interactionism, on the other hand, emphasizes the meanings individuals attach to social symbols and interactions, which tends to focus on small-scale, personal dynamics rather than the societal structures at the macro level.