Structural Theories

Positivists concern themselves with the macro.

Assume society exists independently of indiviuduals, it has an objective factual actual reality, just like the physical natural world it is 'out there'. Just like the natural world it can be investigated. Scientifically using the mehtods of the 'natural sciences'.

Society exists independently to individuals. It is on external force that is observable, measurable and predicatable. Society shapes and controls indivduals. Individuals are passive.

Positivists prefer structured quantitative methodolgy and aim to look for predictable and formulaicpatterns of behavious. Positivists look for Casual Relationships, and prefer Value-Free, Reliable, Representative, Large Scale Quanitifable methodology. It is then turned into offical statistics.