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Have you ever wondered why your family cooks turkey on Thanksgiving? If you ask, you might get all kinds of reasons: because it’s tradition, because it tastes good, because it’s what the pilgrims ate back in the early days of America. All of those factors—taste, personal history, and world history—lead to one small action of you eating turkey on a holiday.

That’s the premise of sociological imagination. Like imagination in the more typical sense, the sociological imagination asks us to use our brains to think differently about things and consider why we do the things we do.

In this article, we’ll introduce the concept of sociological imagination, its history, how it changed the sociological field, and how you can use it every day to change your way of thinking about the world.

What Is Sociological Imagination?

The sociological imagination is a method of thinking about the world. As you may have guessed, it’s part of the field of sociology, which studies human society.

When you put “sociological”—studying society—and “imagination”—the concept of forming new ideas, often creatively—together, you get a pretty good definition of the concept: a method of thinking about both individuals and society by considering a variety of sociological contexts. 

The societal imagination encourages people to think about their lives not just on an individual level, but also considering societal, biological, and historical context. Societal context tells us about our culture—when we consider it, we think about how our desires, actions, and thoughts are shaped by our community and how that community is changing. Biological context tells us about how “human nature” impacts our desires and needs. And lastly, historical context considers our place in time; how have events of the past led up to where we are currently?

Basically, the concept of sociological imagination suggests that who you are as an individual is also the you shaped by your immediate surroundings, your family, your friends, your country, and the world as a whole. You may make individual choices about what to eat for lunch, but what you choose—a tuna sandwich, lobster ravioli, or shrimp tacos—is also determined by societal factors like where you live and what you’ve grown up eating.

To use the sociological imagination is to shift your perspective away from yourself and look at things more broadly, bringing in context to individual actions.

If you’re thinking about lunch, you’re probably more likely to choose something that’s familiar to you. In another culture or even another part of your city, a person who is very similar to you might choose a different food because of what’s familiar to them. If we zoom out a little further, we might realize that people in landlocked states might be unlikely to choose a seafood-based lunch at all because fresh fish is more expensive than it is on the coast. Zoom out more, and you might realize that fish isn’t even on the menu for some cultures because of societal taboos or restrictions.

And those are just spatial boundaries. You can also consider your family’s relationship with eating fish, or how your cultural and ethnic heritage impacted where you are, what food you have access to, and your personal tastes. All of this lets you see yourself and your culture in a new light, as a product of society and history.

In this sense, using a sociological imagination lets you look at yourself and your culture as a third-party observer. The goal is not to be dispassionate and distant, but rather to see yourself not as “natural” or “normal,” as a part of larger systems, the same way that all people are.

Why the Sociological Imagination Is Useful

Part of the appeal of using a sociological imagination is that it helps people avoid apathy . In this context, apathy refers to a sense of indifference or disinterest in examining the morality of their leaders. According to C. Wright Mills , creator of the idea of sociological imagination, if we accept that our beliefs, traditions, and actions are all normal and natural, we are less likely to interrogate when our leaders and community members do things that are immoral.

Considering sociological context allows individuals to question and change society rather than just live in it. When we understand historical and social contexts, we’re better equipped to look at our actions and the actions of our community as a result of systems—which can be changed—rather than as inherent to humanity.

In more technical terms, Mills was challenging the dominant structural functionalist approach to sociology. Structural functionalism suggests that society is composed of different structures that shape the interactions and relationships between people, and those relationships can be understood and analyzed to help us learn more about a society.

What differed for Mills and his concept of the sociological imagination was that he believed that society was not only a series of systems, but that the role of the individual should also be considered. In fact, Mills believed that social structures arise because of conflict between groups , typically the elite and the others, such as the government and the citizens or the rich and the poor.

Where Does the Term Come From?

As previously mentioned, C. Wright Mills is the origin of the term “sociological imagination.” In his 1959 book The Sociological Imagination , the Columbia University professor of sociology suggested that sociologists rethink the way they were engaging with the field. During his time, many sociologists engaged in a sort of top-down view of the world, focusing on systems rather than on individuals. Mills believed both were important, and that society should be understood as a relationship between different systems that originated in conflict.

Though his book has since been named one of the most important sociological texts of the 20th century, Mills was not popular among his contemporaries. Mills was particularly concerned with class in social spheres, particularly the elite and the military, and how conflict between the elite and the non-elite impacted the actions of individuals and vice-versa.

Mills was also opposed to the tendency of sociologists to observe rather than act. He believed that sociology was a great tool for changing the world, and believed that using the sociological imagination encouraged people of all kinds, including sociologists, to expose and respond to social injustice.

Mills referred to the tendency of sociologists to think in abstraction “grand theory.” This tendency led to sociologists of the time being more concerned with organization and taxonomy over understanding—because Mills was so concerned with the experience of the individual as well as the experience of the whole, this contributed to his feeling that the sociological field was too far removed from the actual humans that comprise society.

Because so much of Mills’ ideas of the sociological imagination were intended to bring sociologists closer to the people and their concerns, he developed a series of tenets to encourage them to think differently.

Mills’ Sociological Imagination Tips

Mills' book was all about how the sociological imagination could help society, but it wasn't only a theoretical approach.  The Sociological Imagination contained tips for sociologists as well as the general public to help them better contextualize the world!

Avoid Existing Sets of Procedures

So much of sociology was based on existing systems that Mills felt the field focused on method over humanity. To combat this, he suggested that sociologists should function as individuals and propose new theories and methodologies that could challenge and enhance established norms.

Be Clear and Concise

Mills believed that some of the academic language used in the field of sociology encouraged the sense of distance that so troubled him. Instead, he advocated that sociologists be clear and concise when possible, and that they do not couch their theories in language intended to distance themselves from society and from criticism.

Observe the Macro and Micro

Prior to Mills’ work, structural functionalism was the primary philosophy of the field. Mills disagreed with the top-down approach to sociology, and encouraged sociologists to engage with the macro, as they had been doing, in addition to the micro. He believed that history is comprised of both the big and small, and that study of each is required for a robust field.

Observe Social Structure as Well as Milieu

Building off of his last point, Mills also suggested that social structure and individual actions, which he called “milieu,” were interconnected and equally worthy of study. He explained that individual moments, as well as long spans of time, were equally necessary to understanding society.

Avoid Arbitrary Specialization

Mills advocated for a more interdisciplinary approach to sociology. Part of the sociological imagination is thinking outside of the boundaries of yourself; to do so, Mills suggested that sociologists look beyond their specialized fields toward a more comprehensive understanding.

Always Consider Humanity and History

Because so much of sociology in the time of Mills’ writing was concerned with systems, he advocated for more consideration of both humanity and history. That meant looking at human experience on an individual and societal level, as well as within a specific and broad historical context.

Understand Humanity as Historical and Social Actors

Mills wanted sociologists to consider humans as products of society, but also society as products of humanity. According to Mills, people may act on an individual basis, but their individual desires and thoughts are shaped by the society in which they live. Therefore, sociologists should consider human action as a product of not just individual desires, but also historical and social actors.

Consider Individuals in Connection with Social Issues—Public is Personal, Personal is Public

One of Mills’ biggest points was that an individual problem is often also a societal problem. He suggested that sociologists should look beyond the common discourse and find alternate explanations and considerations.

 2 In-Depth Sociological Imagination Examples

The sociological imagination can be complex to wrap your mind around, particularly if you’re not already a sociologist. When you take this idea and apply it to a specific example, however, it becomes a lot easier to understand how and why it works to broaden your horizons. As such, we've developed two in-depth sociological imagination examples to help you understand this concept.

Buying a Pair of Shoes

Let’s start with a pretty basic example—buying a pair of shoes. When you think about buying a new pair of shoes, your explanation may be fairly simple, such as that you need a new pair of shoes for a particular purpose, like running or a school dance, or that you simply like the way they look. Both of those things may be true, but using your sociological imagination takes you out of the immediacy of those to answers and encourages you to think deeper.

So let’s go with the first explanation that you need a new pair of running shoes. Our first step toward using the sociological imagination is asking yourself ‘why?’ Well, so you can go running, of course! But why do you want to go running, as opposed to any other form of exercise? Why get into exercise at all? Why new running shoes rather than used ones?

Once you start asking these questions, you can start to see how it’s not just an individual choice on your part —the decision to buy running shoes is a product of the society you live in, your economic situation, your local community, and so on. Maybe you want to go running because you want to get into shape, and your favorite Instagram profile is big into running. Maybe you recently watched a news report about heart health and realized that you need a new exercise regimen to get into shape. And maybe you’ve chosen new shoes over used ones because you have the financial means to purchase a name-brand pair.

If you were a different person in a different context—say if you lived in a poorer area, or an area with more crime, or another country where other forms of exercise are more practical or popular—you might have made different choices. If you lived in a poorer area, designer shoes may not even be available to you. If there was a lot of crime in your area, running might be an unsafe method of exercise. And if you lived in another country, maybe you’d take up biking or tai chi or bossaball.

When you consider these ideas, you can see that while you’re certainly an individual making individual decisions, those decisions are, in part, shaped by the context you live in. That’s using your sociological imagination—you’re seeing how the personal decision of buying a pair of running shoes is also public, in that what is available to you, what societal pressures you experience, and what you feel are all shaped by your surroundings.

Who People Choose to Marry

Marriage for love is the norm in American culture, so we assume that the same is true and always has been true. Why else would anybody marry?

When we use our sociological imaginations, we can figure it out. You might get married to your partner because you love them, but why else might you get married? Well, it can make your taxes simpler, or make you more qualified to get a home loan. If your partner is from another country, it might help them stay within the US. So even in the United States, where marriage is typically thought of as a commitment of love, there are multiple other reasons you might get married.

Throughout history, marriage was a means to make alliances or acquire property, usually with a woman as a bargaining chip. Love wasn’t even part of the equation—in fact, in ancient Rome one politician was ousted from the Senate for having the gall to kiss his wife in public .

It wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that love became a reason to marry, thanks to the Enlightenment idea that lives should be dedicated to pursuing happiness. But at that point, women were still seen more like property than people—it wasn’t until the women’s rights movements of the 1900s that American women advocated for their own equality in marriage.

In other cultures, polygamy might be acceptable, or people might have arranged marriages, where a person’s family chooses their spouse for them. That sounds strange to us, but only because in our culture the norm is marrying for love, with other reasons, such as financial or immigration concerns, being secondary.

So even for an individual, there might be multiple factors at play in the decision to be made. You may never articulate these desires because getting married for love is our cultural norm (and it wouldn’t sound very good in a wedding speech), but these kinds of considerations do have subconscious effects on our decision-making.

Sociological Imagination in the Sociology Community

As you might have gathered from the numerous challenges Mills’ concept of the sociological imagination posed to established practices, he wasn’t a super popular figure in sociology during his time.

Many sociologists were resistant to Mills’ suggested changes to the field. In fact, Mills is sometimes heralded to be ahead of his time , as the values he espoused about human connection and societal issues were prominent thoughts in the 1960s, just after his death. 

One of his former students wrote about how Mills stood in contrast to other sociologists of the era, saying:

“Mills’s very appearance was a subject of controversy. In that era of cautious professors in gray flannel suits he came roaring into Morningside Heights on his BMW motorcycle, wearing plaid shirts, old jeans and work boots, carrying his books in a duffel bag strapped across his broad back. His lectures matched the flamboyance of his personal image, as he managed to make entertaining the heavyweight social theories of Mannheim, Ortega and Weber. He shocked us out of our Silent Generation torpor by pounding his desk and proclaiming that every man should build his own house (as he himself did a few years later) and that, by God, with the proper study, we should each be able to build our own car! “Nowadays men often feel that their private lives are a series of traps,” Mills wrote in the opening sentence of The Sociological Imagination, and I can hear him saying it as he paced in front of the class, speaking not loudly now but with a compelling sense of intrigue, as if he were letting you in on a powerful secret.”

Though Mills’ philosophy is hugely important to today’s sociology field, his skewering of power and the myopic nature of his era’s academics didn’t make him many friends .

However, as time has gone on, the field has come to regard him differently. His challenge to the field helped reshape it into something that is concerned with the macro as well as the micro. Conversations—even negative ones—about Mills’ proposals helped circulate his ideas, leading to The Sociological Imagination eventually being voted as the second most important sociological text of the 20th century .

How to Apply Sociological Imagination to Your Own Life

The great thing about sociological imagination is that you don’t need to be a trained sociologist to do it. You don’t need a huge vocabulary or a deep understanding of sociological texts—just the willingness to step outside of your own viewpoint and consider the world in context.

This helps you escape your own perspective and think about the world differently. That can mean you’re able to make decisions less tinged with cultural bias—maybe you don’t need those expensive running shoes after all.

To train your sociological imagination, get into the habit of asking questions about behavior that seems “normal” to you. Why do you think it’s normal? Where did you learn it? Are there places it may not be seen as normal?

Consider a relatively common tradition like Christmas, for example. Even if you don’t come from a particularly religious family, you may still celebrate the holiday because it’s common in our society. Why is that? Well, it could be that it’s a tradition. But where did that tradition come from? Probably from your ancestors, who may have been more devout than your current family. You can trace this kind of thinking backward and consider your personal history, your family history, and the surrounding cultural context (not all cultures celebrate Christmas, of course!) to understand how something that feels “normal” got to that state.

But cultural context isn’t the only important part of the sociological imagination—Mills also suggested that sociologists should consider the personal and the public, as well. When you come upon something that seems like a personal issue, think about it in a societal context. Why might that person behave the way that they do? Are there societal causes that might contribute to their situation?

A common example of this is the idea of unemployment. If you are unemployed, you may feel simultaneous feelings of frustration, unease, and even self-loathing. Many people blame themselves for their lack of a job, but there are societal factors at play, too. For example, there may simply be no jobs available nearby, particularly if you’re trained in a specific field or need to hit a certain income level to care for your family. You may have been laid off due to poor profits, or even because you live in a place where it’s legal to terminate employment based on sexuality or gender identity. You may be unable to find work because you’re spending so much time caring for your family that you simply don’t have time to apply for many jobs.

So while unemployment may seem like a personal issue, there are actually lots of societal issues that can contribute to it. Mills’ philosophy asks us to consider both in conversation with one another—it’s not that individuals have no free will, but rather that each person is a product of their society as well as an individual.

What’s Next?

Psychology, like sociology, can give us insight into human behavior. If you're thinking of studying psychology in the future, this list of psychology master's programs can give you a great look at which colleges have the best programs!

Sociology can even help you understand works of literature, like The Great Gatsby ! Learn more about F. Scott Fitzgerald's take on the American Dream from our guide.

A good understanding of history is one of the core pieces to a good sociological imagination. To improve your historical knowledge, consider these high school history classes you should take !

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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Module 1: Foundations of Sociology

The sociological imagination, learning outcomes.

• Define the sociological imagination
• Apply the sociological imagination

Figure 1.  The sociological imagination enables you to look at your life and your own personal issues and relate them to other people, history, or societal structures.

Many people believe they understand the world and the events taking place within it, even though they have not actually engaged in a systematic attempt to understanding the social world, as sociologists do. In this section, you’ll learn to think like a sociologist.

The sociological imagination , a concept established by C. Wright Mills (1916-1962) provides a framework for understanding our social world that far surpasses any common sense notion we might derive from our limited social experiences. Mills was a contemporary sociologist who brought tremendous insight into the daily lives of society’s members. Mills stated: “Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both” [1] .  The sociological imagination is making the connection between personal challenges and larger social issues. Mills identified “troubles” (personal challenges) and “issues” (larger social challenges), also known as biography, and history, respectively. Mills’ sociological imagination allows individuals to see the relationships between events in their personal lives (biography), and events in their society (history). In other words, this mindset provides the ability for individuals to realize the relationship between their personal experiences and the larger society in which they live their lives.

Personal troubles are private problems experienced within the character of the individual and the range of their immediate relation to others. Mills identified that we function in our personal lives as actors and actresses who make choices about our friends, family, groups, work, school, and other issues within our control. We have a degree of influence on the outcome of matters within this personal level. A college student who parties 4 nights out of 7, who rarely attends class, and who never does his homework has a personal trouble that interferes with his odds of success in college. However, when 50% of all college students in the United States never graduate, we label it as a larger social issue.

Larger social or public issues are those that lie beyond one’s personal control and the range of one’s inner life. These pertain to broader matters of organization and process, which are rooted in society rather than in the individual. Nationwide, students come to college as freshmen who are often ill-prepared to understand the rigors of college life. They haven’t often been challenged enough in high school to make the necessary adjustments required to succeed in college. Nationwide, the average teenager text messages, surfs the Net, plays video games, watches TV, spends hours each day with friends, and works at least part-time. Where and when would he or she get experience focusing attention on college studies and the rigorous self-discipline required to transition into college?

The real power of the sociological imagination is found in how we learn to distinguish between the personal and social levels in our own lives. This includes economic challenges. For example, many students do not purchase required textbooks for college classes at both 2-year colleges and 4-year colleges and universities. Many students simply do not have the money to purchase textbooks, and while this can seem like a “choice,” some of the related social issues include rising tuition rates, decreasing financial aid, increasing costs of living and decreasing wages. The Open Educational Resource (OER) movement has sought to address this  personal trouble  as a  public issue  by partnering with institutional consortia and encouraging large city and state institutions to adopt OER materials. A student who does not purchase the assigned textbook might see this as a private problem, but this student is part of a growing number of college students who are forced to make financial decisions based on structural circumstances.

A majority of personal problems are not experienced as exclusively personal issues, but are influenced and affected by social norms, habits, and expectations. Consider issues like homelessness, crime, divorce, and access to healthcare. Are these all caused by personal choices, or by societal problems? Using the sociological imagination, we can view these issues as interconnected personal and public concerns.

For example, homelessness may be blamed on the individuals who are living on the streets. Perhaps their personal choices influenced their position; some would say they are lazy, unmotivated, or uneducated. This approach of blaming the victim fails to account for the societal factors that also lead to homelessness—what types of social obstacles and social failings might push someone towards homelessness? Bad schools, high unemployment, high housing costs, and little family support are all social issues that could contribute to homelessness. C. Wright Mills, who originated the concept of the sociological imagination, explained it this way: “the very structure of opportunities has collapsed. Both the correct statement of the problem and the range of possible solutions require us to consider the economic and political institutions of the society, and not merely the personal situation and character of a scatter of individuals.”

Watch the following video to see an example of how the sociological imagination is used to understand the issue of obesity.

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• Mills, C. W.: 1959, The Sociological Imagination, Oxford University Press, London. ↵
• Modification, adaptation, and original content. Authored by : Sarah Hoiland for Lumen Learning. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• The Sociological Imagination. Provided by : College of the Canyons. Located at : https://www.canyons.edu/Offices/DistanceLearning/OER/Documents/Open%20Textbooks%20At%20COC/Sociology/SOCI%20101/The%20Sociological%20Imagination.pdf . Project : Sociology 101. License : CC BY: Attribution
• People graphic. Authored by : Peggy_Marco. Provided by : pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/network-society-social-community-1019778/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved

Sociological Imagination Essay Example

• February 12, 2023

Sociological Imagination Overview

Introduction

Sociological imagination is a concept introduced by the American sociologist, C. Wright Mills, in his book “The Sociological Imagination” published in 1959. The concept refers to the ability of an individual to understand the interconnectedness between their personal experiences and the larger societal forces that shape them. In other words, it is the ability to see the relationship between the individual and society and how our individual experiences are not just a result of personal choices and actions, but also of larger social structures, institutions, and historical context.

The Importance of Sociological Imagination

The sociological imagination allows individuals to critically analyze their experiences and understand the social, historical, and political factors that have contributed to their current situation. It also helps individuals to understand how their experiences are connected to the experiences of others, and how larger social structures and institutions shape our individual experiences.

For instance, if an individual is struggling with unemployment, the sociological imagination would help them understand that their experience is not just a result of personal choices or a lack of effort, but is also influenced by larger societal factors such as the economy, globalization, and technological advancements. By understanding the interplay between these factors, individuals can better understand the root causes of their experiences and be better equipped to make changes.

The sociological imagination also helps to break down the barriers of class, race, and gender, and to see the intersections between these categories and their impact on an individual's experiences. It allows individuals to understand how their experiences are shaped by the historical and cultural contexts in which they live and how these experiences are connected to larger social, political, and economic structures.

The sociological imagination is a crucial tool for sociologists and other social scientists, as it helps to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of society and the individual. It also allows for a more nuanced understanding of social problems and the development of more effective solutions.

The Challenges of Developing Sociological Imagination

Developing sociological imagination can be challenging, as it requires individuals to step outside of their own experiences and perspectives, and to critically analyze the social, historical, and political factors that shape their experiences. Additionally, individuals may be resistant to the idea that their experiences are shaped by larger societal forces, as it challenges the notion of personal agency and control.

However, the development of sociological imagination is crucial for individuals to fully understand the interconnectedness between the individual and society, and to better understand the root causes of social problems. As C. Wright Mills states, "Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both" (Mills, 1959, p. 5).

In conclusion, the sociological imagination is a concept introduced by C. Wright Mills that refers to the ability of an individual to understand the relationship between their personal experiences and the larger societal forces that shape them. It is a crucial tool for individuals to critically analyze their experiences and understand the interplay between the individual and society. The development of sociological imagination can be challenging, but is necessary for individuals to fully understand the root causes of social problems and to break down the barriers of class, race, and gender.

Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of life. Guilford Press.

Giddens, A. (1971). The Class Structure of the Advanced Societies. New York: Harper & Row.

Mills, C. W. (1959). The sociological imagination. Oxford University Press.

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1.2: The Sociological Imagination

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Learning Objectives

• Discuss C. Wright Mills’ claim concerning the importance of the “sociological imagination” for individuals

The Sociological Imagination

Early sociological theorists, like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, were concerned with the phenomena they believed to be driving social change in their time. Naturally, in pursuing answers to these large questions, they received intellectual stimulation. These founders of sociology were some of the earliest individuals to employ what C. Wright Mills (a prominent mid-20 th century American sociologist) would later call the sociological imagination: the ability to situate personal troubles and life trajectories within an informed framework of larger social processes. The term sociological imagination describes the type of insight offered by the discipline of sociology. While scholars have quarreled over interpretations of the phrase, it is also sometimes used to emphasize sociology’s relevance in daily life.

C. Wright Mills

In describing the sociological imagination, Mills asserted the following. “What people 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. The sociological imagination enables its possessor to understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals. ” Mills believed in the power of the sociological imagination to connect “personal troubles to public issues. ”

As Mills saw it, the sociological imagination helped individuals cope with the social world by enabling them to step outside their own, personal, self-centered view of the world. By employing the sociological imagination, individual people are forced to perceive, from an objective position, events and social structures that influence behavior, attitudes, and culture.

In the decades after Mills, other scholars have employed the term to describe the sociological approach in a more general way. Another way of defining the sociological imagination is the understanding that social outcomes are shaped by social context, actors, and actions.

• Because they tried to understand the larger processes that were affecting their own personal experience of the world, it might be said that the founders of sociology, like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, exercised what C. Wright Mills later called the sociological imagination.
• C. Wright Mills, a prominent mid-20th century American sociologist, described the sociological imagination as the ability to situate personal troubles and life trajectories within an informed framework of larger social processes.
• Other scholars after Mills have employed the phrase more generally, as the type of insight offered by sociology and its relevance in daily life. Another way of describing sociological imagination is the understanding that social outcomes are shaped by social context, actors, and social actions.
• the sociological imagination : Coined by C. Wright Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability to situate personal troubles and life trajectories within an informed framework of larger social processes.

Sociological Imagination

How it works

The choices we make and the results of those decisions are molded by the instances in which we are facing, our own beliefs, and the behaviors of the people around us. Our choices and actions impact our society. In this essay, I will explain the “sociological imagination” according to C. Wright Mills and his distinction between personal troubles and public issues. I will also provide an example of how I’ve had to utilize sociological imagination in my personal life.

[bookmark: _Hlk3372065]C. Wright Mills introduced the sociological imagination in 1959. He explained how private issues and public troubles relate. The sociological imagination is the ability to socially see things and how they interact and influence one another. To have a sociological imagination, a person must be able to pull away from the situation and think from an alternative point of view (Crossman 2019). It is important that people can relate the situations that affect them in how they live their daily lives to the local, national, and global societal issues. Without the ability to make those relations, people are unable to see societal issues that affect them and are unable to determine if these issues require change to better their everyday lives.

Burnout is a very significant issue in the world of nursing. A few months ago, I left a job I really loved in the beginning. I was working in long term care at the time as a nurse. In the LTC setting there is no official nurse-to-patient ratio; there is a suggested staff-to-patient ratio. I went from having roughly 20 patients to almost 40. I ended up resigning because of burnout and always working short staffed. Some nights it would be so short it would only be two nurses in the entire building. The job became short staff due to high turnover rates and staff just simply not coming into work. Imagine having patients coding on different halls, a fall, and having to send someone out to the hospital with only one crash cart and two nurses. That’s almost impossible to do. I was so exhausted physically and mentally. I knew I could not do my job as efficient as I once had before if I stayed. Each time I worked short I took the risk of jeopardizing my license. Burnout caused me to leave prematurely due to heavy workload, job dissatisfaction, and lack of support from management.

There are many reasons why this could’ve happened. This could’ve happened specifically because the facility I was working at was brand new. It had only been open for 7 months when I left. Newer facilities have higher turnover rates because they are trying to establish structure. Employees were hired with three days of orientation and just thrown out on the floor to work. Desperate times called for desperate measures. The management was unsupportive and selfish. They also lacked the necessary clinical staff for the nursing department as well which played a big part. In general, there is a shortage in the world of nursing. The baby boomer population is steady increasing which creates more demand for nurses (Grant, 2016). Baby boomer nurses are aging and retiring which also contributes to the shortage. With this shortage it also affects nursing student’s enrollment (Haddad, 2019). More than one half million RNs are expected to leave the force or retire by 2022 according to the Health Resources and Administration at the U.S. Health Department (Grant, 2016). These are just a few examples of social forces that influence burnout due to being understaffed.

If I could design society differently and create my own utopia related to burnout and understaffing I would have an official nurse to patient ratio to enhance safe practice. Having adequate nursing staff for patients ensures the safety and quality of care. Less medication errors, falls, health care related infections, and death could be prevented. In return burnout wouldn’t be an underlying issue causing the shortage.

In conclusion, the sociological imagination is the ability to socially see things from another point of view. Utilizing sociological imagination can improve a personal situation by being aware of how it can affect their society. In this paper I described sociological imagination and provided an example of how I was able to benefit from it in that situation.

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Sociological Imagination: Sociology Issues Essay

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced significant societal changes all over the world. The introduction of social distancing, face mask wearing, and economic downturn have led people to alter their lifestyles considerably. This paper aims to apply sociological imagination to COVID-19 to analyze how it has affected the lives of individuals and society as a whole. The paper will outline possible changes in social structures and social forces in the GCC region, which may happen as a result of the pandemic. I will also explain how these changes will affect my community and family.

The Definition of Sociological Imagination

Sociological imagination is a way to see the events of one’s own life in a broader context of social issues and trends. The term was coined by C. Wright Mills, who argued that “neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both” (Smith-Hawkins, 2020, p. 8). Sociological imagination is defined as an awareness of the connection that exists between one’s behavior and experiences and the surrounding society that has shaped the individual’s choices and worldview (Griffiths et al., 2015). By applying sociological imagination to everyday life, people can see that their actions are largely influenced by the prevalent societal trends and practices.

Moreover, sociological imagination can show that the decisions people deem their own are actually made with the involvement of their families and communities. One may consider, for example, the decision to have children. In the past, having children was an indispensable part of people’s family lives. Nowadays, people have gained more freedom in deciding whether to have children. However, the eventual decision to reproduce is taken with regard to the culture in which the person lives. For example, in child-centric societies, people are less likely to remain childless because of the pressure they experience from their peers, parents, and the entire community. In Western countries, where the individualistic culture prevails, people do not experience such societal pressure in terms of having children, but they feel urged to boost their personal achievements. As a result, guided by these societal trends, they decide to postpone having children in order to build a career.

Although the term “sociological imagination” was invented by C. Wright Mills, the idea of integrating the lives of individuals and entire societies was used by earlier sociologists. For example, Karl Marx used sociological imagination to explain the process of social change (Griffiths et al., 2015). Marx argued that the social conflict between workers and capitalists would lead to tensions and revolts, which, subsequently, would end in a social change (Griffiths et al., 2015). Max Weber also applied his sociological imagination to understand society and argued that standard scientific methods were not applicable for predicting the behavior of human groups (Griffiths et al., 2015). Weber believed that sociology should take account of culture and get a deep understanding of different social groups rather than strive to obtain generalizable results (Griffiths et al., 2015). Thus, the concept of sociological imagination is essential in sociologists and has been used by scientists even before C. Wright Mills described and coined a term for it.

Possible Changes in Social Structures and Forces in a Post-COVID World

In a post-COVID world, many social structures are likely to change. According to Smith-Hawkins (2020), social structures are “any relatively stable pattern of social behavior found in social institutions” (p. 6). For example, one common social structure is status, which refers to the responsibilities and benefits that people exercise depending on their roles in society (Smith-Hawkins, 2020). In a post-COVID world, some people are likely to experience a change in their status. For example, the pandemic led many entrepreneurs to close their businesses because of the forced lockdown. As a result, these people are likely to lose their status as business owners and will have to find a new occupation. In addition, during the pandemic, the status of healthcare workers has significantly improved, which will probably influence the prestige and attractiveness of healthcare professions for individuals.

Another important social structure is formal organizations, such as banks, schools, hospitals, and others. Within these social structures, the changes include the emergence of new rules, such as face mask wearing, and the modification of the work format. During the pandemic, many organizations have transferred to remote work in response to the introduction of social distancing or were forced to lay off a large number of workers. As a result, individuals had to adapt to new circumstances. In the future, it is possible that the jobs that allow for the remote work format will become more valuable, along with various delivery services. In addition, these changes are likely to change people’s career choices in the future.

Social institutions are also part of social structures, and one important social institution that is likely to change in a post-COVID world is health and medicine. One possible change that healthcare in GCC will undergo is an increase in the use of telehealth. Social distancing, the contagiousness of the virus, and low access to care in rural areas are significant preconditions for the wide use of remote healthcare services.

Finally, in terms of social forces, it is likely that a social action directed toward improving economic policies will emerge. COVID-19 has sharpened social issues that have existed long ago in society, such as poverty and inequality. Many people have become unemployed or experienced a decrease in their incomes. These changes may lead to public discontent, forcing governments to revise their policies related to labor and the economy.

The Impact of Social Changes on the Community and Family

According to the concept of sociological imagination, individuals and society are closely interrelated, and individuals are highly influenced by changes occurring in society. Therefore, one can assume that the changes that will happen in a post-COVID world will influence communities and individuals with their families. Thinking of my community, I believe that healthcare workers will be respected even more than before for their contribution to the fight against the virus. I also think that many people in my community will experience a change in their status. Entrepreneurs who lost their businesses will have to change their social roles; many office workers will change their status to either unemployed or remote employees. As for the influence on my family, my relatives and I will have to adapt to the new economic environment and learn to function effectively under the circumstances of social distancing and remote work. Finally, if my assumptions about the social change in healthcare and policies related to labor and economy are right, both my community and family will benefit in terms of improved access to healthcare and labor conditions.

Griffiths, H., Keirns, N. J., Strayer, E., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Sadler, T., Vyain, S., Bry, J., & Jones, F. (2015). Introduction to sociology (2 nd ed.). OpenStax College, Rice University. Web.

Smith-Hawkins, P. (Ed.). (2020). Introduction to Sociology (AUBH Bahraini ed.). Unpublished manuscript.

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Sociological imagination

Updated 19 August 2021

Downloads 59

Category Literature ,  Sociology

Topic Character ,  Sociological Imagination

The knowledge of one's personal experience and the larger society has been described as sociological imagination. The description is based on C. Wright Mills' work (Schulenberg, 2003). In the film I, Daniel Blake, the aspect of sociological creativity is portrayed. The adventures of the main character, Dave Johns, as Daniel Blake, represent the personal interactions that an individual might have at the expense of society. Katie, who also happens to be a co-star in the film, feels the same way. Daniel and Katie's personal experiences have played a significant role in deciding society's reaction to them. Analysis of Sociological Imagination to Explain the Experiences of Daniel and Katie in I, Daniel BlakeThe social outcomes depend on the actions that one undertakes. In I, Daniel Blake, the society expects one to gain from the actions they undertake. Daniel has been diagnosed with a heart condition that evidently makes it hard for him to execute his duties. Because of the same, he expects his employer to provide him with the employment and support allowance that will be instrumental in enabling him to manage his life. However, the society has the expectation that an individual ought to be paid for services that they render. An individual cannot have pay for a service that they have not rendered. This explains the reluctance of the organization Blake is an employee of to provide the employment and support allowance. Consequently, Blake ends up facing the harsh side of the society because of the expectations that have been enacted.Sociological imagination requires that one shift from their typical thinking to a new one. Notably, it requires a change of routine from the typical way of doing things to a new method. The issue is depicted in the case of Katie who is stranded on how she can feed her children. She has to make a decision that entails shifting from leading an ordinary life to a different one where she ends up engaging in shoplifting to make ends meet. Ordinarily, one would not be expected to engage in such adverse way of doing things since it is not right to shoplift to make ends meet (Chancer, 2014). Despite the fact that she is justified to act in the way that she did, it is critical to acknowledge that the society has particular imaginations regarding how one ought to conduct themselves. Katie defies the sociological expectation since she is forced to use all the means possible to find means of providing to her children. Consequently, the sociological imagination reiterates the fact that there is need to understand the fact that certain things in the society could lead to given outcomes (Reeves, 2011). Therefore, Katie’s inability to provide food for her children has subjected her to unexpected means of survival including shoplifting. Katie is merely acting as a caring mother to provide food to her children by all the means possible. Her actions, however, may be judged by some because of the expectations that individuals have regarding how people should conduct themselves. Nevertheless, it is critical to ensure that one does not judge Katie’s actions on the grounds of the measures she takes to make sure that she provides for her family.Sociological imagination identifies the need to have an individual think themselves away from familiar routines of each day and look at them in a different perspective (Fuller, 2006). The reasoning can be applied in the case of Daniel’s employer who denies Daniel an allowance because of his condition. The experiences witnessed by Daniel are hugely attributed to the failure of the employer to deviate from the usual thinking that expects one to work continually if they are to earn any benefit. The understanding that at some stage in life, one may have challenges that affect their ability to work is critical in ensuring that the employer makes the right judgment. In the film, I, Daniel Blake, Daniel is a victim of failure by the employer to adopt the concept of sociological imagination that is needed to ensure that one they look away from typical thinking to a new one. For example, in the film, it is evident that Daniel has a medical condition that is barring him from discharging his duties. Because of the same, he is forced to take time off on the advice of his doctor. However, because he needs to have a source of income, he expects his employer to do the right thing and grant him an allowance. Unfortunately, the employer fails to act in a dignified manner and instead ends up denying him the allowance based on the report from the work capability assessment that is conducted. It is unfortunate that Daniel has to undergo the painful experience of not getting the allowance while at the same time not being able to engage in employment because of his medical condition actively.Adoption of Sociological Perspectives to explain Circumstances Responsible for Personal Troubles experienced by lead charactersThe aspect of working is an issue that can be viewed from a particular sociological imagination based on the experiences encountered by Katie and Daniel. Work can be considered as a measure of making a living. However, the same concept can be considered from a different perspective. Daniel depends on work to earn his daily bread. The same picture is depicted in the case of Katie who goes looking for employment to earn a means of providing to the family. However, the same concept can be seen from a different perspective where one is seen engaging in employment for personal satisfaction (Simpson and Elias, 2011). Some choose to engage in work as a way of ensuring that they meet their career objectives. Even though the end result will be earning some remuneration, a different perspective can be undertaking job activities to advance one’s job interest. Relating the same to the troubles encountered by the lead characters, their dependence on work as a source of income is attributed to the problems that they are facing. This is manifested in terms of the problems encountered by the two. For example, Katie is forced to act as an escort because it is the only work she can get to earn a living. Despite the problems associated with the nature of the work, Katie decides that she has no option but to work in a bid to provide for her family. Indeed, the society has set certain expectations making it possible for individuals to view work in different ways (Watson, 2009).The social structures have been designed in such a way that the man is expected to be the sole provider in the house. The decision by Daniel to befriend Katie, a single mother, somehow transfers the responsibility of providing for the family to Daniel. Under the knowledge of such a responsibility, Daniel decides to look for a job, despite his medical condition after being denied the employment and support allowance by his previous employer. The decision to do so is guided by the fact that Daniel would be eligible for the job seekers allowance that can somehow make it possible for him to provide for himself, Katie and her children. It is unfortunate that the social structures in the society have somehow had an impact on the way in which Daniel conducts himself. It is critical to acknowledge the sacrifices that are being made by Daniel, that despite his heart condition, he opts to work out ways of earning a given income. Further, the issue is depicted in Daniel calling upon Katie to shun the escort job that the security guard helped her acquire. The decision to do so is guided by the understanding that being the sole provider, a man needs to ensure that they provide to the woman. Daniel makes the decision to have Katie stop the escort job in the hope that he being the man, will find ways of providing to them. It is critical to acknowledge that such a decision is made despite the fact that there is no bond holding Daniel and Katie except that they are friends. However, because of the structure of the society, a man feels obligated to be the provider (Rubin, 2012).The society plays a fundamental role in dictating the decisions made by both Daniel and Katie as regards to how they live their lives. The society requires people to work regardless of their situation. This is depicted in the case of Daniel, who under the guidance of his work coach decides to work harder in search of a job. It is worth acknowledging that Daniel is in a poor state of health that does not warrant him to be actively engaged in any work-related activities. However, because it is the expectation of the society for one to conduct themselves in a given way, including fending for themselves, a man has to ensure that they defy all odds to make sure that they secure a job (Lange, 2015). However, it is essential to acknowledge that Daniel is aware of his condition but still insists that he has to work. The reasoning can be attributed to the sociological perspective that it is the mandate of the man to ensure that they fend for themselves despite the situation that they are facing (Reeves, 2011). It is out of such reasoning that Daniel decides to overlook his medical condition and decides to seek employment. Through the same, it will be possible for him to earn a jobseeker's allowance and make ends meet. He looks for work in an industrial estate with the hope that it would be possible for him to secure a means of earning some living. It is critical to acknowledge that the efforts adopted by Daniel are only supposed to meet the expectations of the society. Consequently, the outcome of his actions turns out tragic as he ends up suffering a heart attack.Further, the understanding that the society is expected to treat people humanely makes Daniel decide to file an appeal regarding the need to be paid because of the inability to work. The society is structured that in the event that a particular individual is aggrieved, there are systems in place that have been enacted to help address such issues (Morgan and Kleinman, 2010). The challenges faced by Daniel made him decide to file for an appeal. Based on the judgment made by the welfare advisor, the chances are that Daniel would win the case because of the problems that he had undergone. However, of core significance is to acknowledge that those facing particular issues should look for better ways of dealing with them. It is out of such reasoning that Daniel files a case with the hope that the decision arrived at will help him solve the problem. Unfortunately, Daniel does not make it. He passes on at the lavatories because of a heart attack. Further, the society is structured in such a manner that one will be able to earn support from others if it is perceived that there is unfair treatment. The sociological perspective is that the unfair treatment would result in sympathy and this can result in eliciting of course of action (Shuttleworth and Meekosha, 2012). Daniel is motivated by the support he gets from the passersby. He acts out of such motivation to file for a case that would probably help in him solving the problem that he was facing. The sociological perspective held by the society saw him earn benefits but also gets arrested by the police, after being given a warning.Finally, the sociological perspective focuses on viewing a general issue from a particular viewpoint. The troubles encountered by both Daniel and Katie can be looked at in a given specific way despite the generality that is depicted in the same. For example, generally, Katie is seen taking measures to help Daniel, especially with the court case process. Ordinarily, one would think that the decision by Kate to help Daniel is guided by the possibility of earning some benefits. In the event that the court rules in favor of Daniel, then chances are that his employer would have to compensate him. The effect is that both Daniel and Katie would have much to live for. However, the decision made by Katie to help Daniel is guided by the fact that Katie is kind-hearted and only willing to help because of the common problems that they were both facings. The particular perspective of viewing the issue is on looking at the nobility of the action.ConclusionOverall, the film has depicted crucial insights regarding the sociological imagination. The lead characters Daniel and Katie have acted in ways that have portrayed thought on the manner in which the society views various issues while at the same time taking into consideration the personal view of the same. The plot has been critical since it enables the understanding of events and the relation of the same to the society. The events that have unfolded in the film have been instrumental in understanding the aspect of sociological imagination with a focus on the perspective the society has on various issues. Consequently, the film provides significant takeaways that build from events of the film.ReferencesChancer, L. (2014) ‘C. Wright Mills, Freud, and the psychosocial imagination.’, in The unhappy divorce of sociology and psychoanalysis: Diverse perspectives on the psychosocial., pp. 190–202. Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2014-38598-008&site=ehost-live&scope=site.Fuller, S. (2006) The New Sociological Imagination, Sage Publications. doi: 10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004.Lange, E. (2015) ‘(Re)igniting a sociological imagination in adult education: the continuing relevance of classical theory’, International Journal of Lifelong Education, 1370(October), pp. 1–23. doi: 10.1080/02601370.2015.1028574.Morgan, C. and Kleinman, A. (2010) ‘Social science perspectives: A failure of the sociological imagination.’, Principles of social psychiatry (2nd ed.)., pp. 51–64. Available at: http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=psyc7&NEWS=N&AN=2010-10944-005.Reeves, S. (2011) ‘Using the sociological imagination to explore the nature of interprofessional interactions and relations’, in Sociology of Interprofessional Health Care Practice, pp. 9–13.Rubin, B. A. (2012) ‘Shifting social contracts and the sociological imagination’, Social Forces, 91(2), pp. 327–346. doi: 10.1093/sf/sos122.Schulenberg, J. L. (2003) ‘C. Wright Mills: Tracing the Sociological Imagination’, Sociological Imagination, 39, pp. 47–65. doi: 10.4337/9781782540038.Shuttleworth, R. and Meekosha, H. (2012) ‘The Sociological Imaginary and Disability Enquiry in Late Modernity’, Critical Sociology, 39(3), pp. 349–367. doi: 10.1177/0896920511435709.Simpson, J. M. and Elias, V. L. (2011) ‘Choices and Chances: The Sociology Role-playing Game--The Sociological Imagination in Practice’, Teaching Sociology, 39(1), pp. 42–56. doi: 10.1177/0092055X10390646.Watson, T. J. (2009) ‘Work and the Sociological Imagination: The Need for Continuity and Change in the Study of Continuity and Change’, Sociology, 43(5), pp. 861–877. doi: 10.1177/0038038509340726.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Sociological Imagination — Sociological Imagination and The Promise

Sociological Imagination and The Promise

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Words: 605 |

Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 605 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Understanding social issues, impact on individual behavior, potential for social change.

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