Sociological Imagination

Mills defined sociological imagination as "the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society."

Exercising: Exercising is not only beneficial for the individual engaging in it, but for the whole society. Exercising is scientifically proven to lower disease and improve happiness. When a society is more happy they engage in more positive behavior. A society that is more engaged will more likely advocate for justice and the well being of others.

Racial and ethnic differences can be better understood with the use of the sociological imagination. The sociological imagination is a term coined by C. Wright Mills that explains the ability to understand things socially. Using the sociological imagination, we can dissect racial and ethnic differences of the past to discuss the experience of these groups in greater detail.

Throughout this essay the sociological imagination is used to analyse the historical, cultural and structural reasons for drug use and abuse. Within this parameter the sociological imagination is applied, using studies research conducted in the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia and the United States. The sociological imagination was defined by Charles Write Mills as a ‘quality of mind’. (Mills quoted by Germov, Poole 2007: 4 ) It is stimulated by an awareness to view the social world by looking at how one’s own personal problems and experiences form a relationship to the wider society. In Victorian society the majority of people believed there was no ‘drug problem.' (Berridge, 1999) The substances used in Britain at the time like opium

President Barrack Obama did not abuse his executive powers in protecting undocumented immigrants. President Obama wanted illegal children to be protected, yet he stated that his decision would only provide temporary protection. He knew that he would have to reform immigration, and DACA would not be a pathway to receive citizenship. However, Obama knew his policy could be rejected after a new president would take office. Shortly After, the 45th President was not welcomed with the usual open arms of the American people, due to his generalizations. In 2016, during his presidential campaign, Trump called Mexicans “Rapist” and “Criminals.” It also seemed he had experienced tensions with other minorities such as Arabs. Even though the majority of undocumented immigrants has risen from Asia, Trump’s decision on DACA singles out a racial group for discrimination, particularly Mexicans.

Sociological imagination as defined by C. Wright Mills is the ability to view how a society 's "unique historical circumstances" influence the people and

The concept of “sociological imagination” is one that can be explained many different ways. A simple way to think of the sociological imagination is to see it as a way a person thinks, where they know that what they do from day to day in their private lives (like the choices they make), are sometimes influenced by the larger environment in which they live (Mills 1959, 1). What C.W. Mills meant by this concept is that it is the ability to “understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals” (1959, 3). In other words, the concept of sociological imagination is the ability to realize that the choices people make and their personal environments are often

Gaines uses Mill's concept of the Sociological Imagination by viewing the world as a detached observer. This means that a sociologist removes themselves from whatever they are examining and attempts to observes as an outsider would. Gaines does this when she goes and interacts with other students to inquire the reason why the four Suburban kids had committed suicide. Gain is seeing through a sociological perspective rather than personal. Gaines states "how in the white suburban high schools in towns like Bergenfield, the "burnouts" are often the kids near the bottom academically, economically, and sociologically" (Gaines, p. 11).

Sociological imagination is merely the connection between a person and the society. Every person is connected to and influenced by society to a different extent. Some people are completely absorbed in society and feel obligated to keep up with the trends, or else they feel like an outlier. On the other hand, some people do not keep up with the trends of society because they could care less about others opinions. Sociological imagination can be used to show the relationship between both those types of people and the society, and it can be used to explain how people view society from their point of view. When people look at societies from an outsider’s point of view, “rather than only from the perspective of personal experiences and cultural biases” (Schaefer 4), they are able to notice the things that shape and mold their character. The outsider perspective also provides them with a better understanding of themselves by understanding the relationship between them and society.

Introduction to the Sociological Imagination The concept of the sociological imagination according to CW Mills is the capacity to understand and see that society and history plays a large part in the choices and experiences in our life. It is the ability to perceive the connections to the world around us and know that it influences who we are as an individual. Using the sociological imagination will allow someone the capacity to step outside of themselves and view life from a new perspective. Mills states that the individual can understand his experiences by locating himself within his period which will allow him to discern his chances in life and being aware of the individuals surrounding his circumstances (Conley, 2017, p 4).

Sociology is the study of the society(people). The method of figuring out things about people is the quantitive method. Society is a group of people that has similar common social traits and practices as well. This paper I will be talking about how Sociological Imagination works and how it relates to my life. Will be describing Ascribed and Achieved Statuses and examples involving my life.

Occasionally everyone has suffered from depression, weather it was long term or short term. Feeling hopelessness, irritablity, or feeling anxious or “empty” these symptoms can greatly effect people’s daily routines. Suddenly, waking up in the morning, trying to fall asleep or simply interacting with other people becomes one of the most difficult challenges. Depression can be cause by many things such as financial issues, relationship problems, 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

“Sociological Imagination,” by Charles Wright Mills is a book about the linkage of an individual’s biography to public issues and world history. Mills creates a concept that allows one to view where their presence is in society. The whole point is to evaluate the larger things that lead one to where they are now. Using the correlation between society and yourself allows one to view your issues as society’s issues. Education is among these issues that can be traced as a social issue. Moreover, my education achievements can be traced back before I was born.

In chapter one of The Sociological Imagination, C. Wright Mills writes, "Seldom aware of the intricate connection between the patterns of their own lives and the course of world history, ordinary people do not usually know what this connection means for the kinds of people they are becoming and for the kinds of history-making in which they might take part” (Mills). Essentially, Mills is saying that people have tunnel vision when they do not use the sociological imagination, which is the awareness of the connection between an individual’s experience and the history of society. We tend to only focus on what is directly affecting us while staying unaware of what is affecting our entire society. We do not see that all of our significant life events are merely products of history. I find value in Mills’

The sociological imagination can be related to experiences of individuals along with life in society. There are three main characteristics that come along with the sociological imagination, those being; history, social structure, as well as biography. In addition, to C.Wright Mills concepts of the sociological imagination, we enable ourselves in society to now have a better understanding of not only ourselves but also others through a sense of linking personal experiences. Due to some of the circumstances in my life, the key sociological factors that have occurred are education, gender, and inequality. These factors have allowed me to fully understand what the sociological imagination is and how it plays a part in my everyday life experiences.