Sociological Imagination Essay - 582 Words

To understand the term `Sociological Imagination, it is important to identify what Sociology is and what do sociologists study. It is also vital to look at the three basic concerns of the sociological imagination or perspective, which include Social Structure, Social Institutions and Social Processes. Moreover, it is necessary to understand what C. Wright Mills means when he mentions the personal troubles of milieu and the public issues of social structure, and how it helps us to understand the society in which we live in. What is `Sociological Imagination? To answer this question a person must first know what Sociology is. Sargent (1994) states that There is no short answer... however, we can come to understand†¦show more content†¦Not from within the individual but outside the individual. Another question that would arise before looking into the `Sociological imagination is what do sociologists study? Sociologists concern themselves with the human behavior, what influences them and manipulates them to behave in that manner. Sociologists focus on the three basic concerns of the sociological imagination or perspective for explanations. Social structure, deals with the formation of society, how it was formed and why is it the way it is today. Giddens, A (1997) states It is the business of sociology to investigate the connections between what society makes of us and what we make of ourselves. The second, Social Institutions, shows the relationship among those major social institutions that play a major role in society and have the power to influence an individuals life such as family, religion, and education. The third, which is social processes, are dynamic to social life such as conflict and power. They combine these three and try to shape why society is the way it is, what makes something socially acceptable, who makes the rules and who plays the game. Sociological Imagination comes into the picture when a persons individual life is looked away from the society they live. It forces the individuals to detach themselves away from the familiar habits of their everyday lives in order to look at them from a newShow MoreRelatedSociological Imagination636 Words   |  3 Pagesproblems, family problems or an individual just may not be happy. Although, if this person uses their social imagination it may be a little easier for them to cope with their depression. Looking at their problems in a more general perspective helps them realize they are not alone and these are daily problems everyone faces. Sociologist C. Wright Mills quotes â€Å"The sociological imagination enables its possessor to understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the innerRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination And Me Essay1343 Words   |  6 PagesThe Sociological Imagination and Me Charles Wright Mills was a writer, a researcher, a teacher, a scholar and a well known sociologist. He was the author of the 1959 book, The Sociological Imagination. This book was poorly received by the sociological community at first, but it is one of the most widely read sociological texts today. The Sociological Imagination and Mills’ other works have had an immense impact on sociology, as he influenced many other scholars and the â€Å"New Left† movement of theRead MoreSociological Imagination Essay703 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿ Tierra Hodge Dr. Ngeo Boon Lin Intro to Sociology October 1, 2014 Sociological Imagination What is sociological imagination? According to C. 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Wright Mills, author of â€Å"The Sociological Imagination†, explains how the sociological imagination plays a part in human development, and how certain social forces affecting the lives of those who are constantly facing hardships. He explains that the problems that we face as human beingsRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination : C. Wright Mills1822 Words   |  8 PagesC. Wright Mills defines the sociological imagination as, â€Å"what they need, and what they feel they need, is a quality of mind that will help them to use information and to develop reason in order to achieve lucid summations of what is going on in the world and of what may be happening within themselves†. Mills also says that the sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society. When I read Chapter One: The Promise from C. WrightRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination : C. Wright Mills907 Words   |  4 Pageslimited to their day to day life and personal experiences that are directly related to them, they cannot see the bigger picture. They do not yet know that the sociological imagination can set them free from this trap and as C. Wright Mills said, In many ways it is a terrible lesson; in many ways a magnificent one.. The sociological imagination is truly an incredible thing. Most people go through life indeed feeling trapped by the personal troubles that plague their lives and some never even considerRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination As Described By C. Wright Mills930 Words   |  4 PagesThe sociological imagination as described by C. 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It is also important to realize that there are distinctions between