In interpretative sociology, researchers focus on understanding the __________ individuals attach to their social experiences, which contrasts with positivist sociology's reliance on quantitative data.

In interpretative sociology, researchers focus on understanding the meanings individuals attach to their social experiences. This approach emphasizes how people interpret their actions and the world around them, rather than just looking at numbers or statistics. For example, if researchers study a community's response to a festival, they would explore how different people feel about the event, what it means to them, and how it shapes their identity. This is different from positivist sociology, which might measure attendance or economic impact without considering personal feelings. By focusing on meanings, interpretative sociology helps us grasp the deeper connections between people and their social lives.