"Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." 1 Show
The above is a quote from sociologist C. Wright Mills. We are a part of the society we live in, so is it truly possible to separate our actions, behaviors, and motivations from society? C. Wright Mills didn't think so - he claimed that we should look at both our life and wider society. Let's read more about why he said this by studying the sociological imagination. In this explanation:
Let's get started! The Sociological Imagination: a DefinitionLet's look at a definition of the term 'sociological imagination' coined in 1959 by C. Wright Mills, a leading sociologist. Having a sociological imagination means having an objective awareness of the relationship between individuals and wider society. How can we do this objectively? Mills advocates viewing society not as a member of society, but from the perspective of an outsider. When we do this, we can understand how and why people may behave the way they do because we eliminate personal experiences, biases, and cultural factors. By using the sociological imagination, we can better explore the connection between personal troubles and public issues. The Distinction Between Personal Troubles and Public IssuesIn order to understand the relationship between personal and public issues, we need to know what we mean by them. Personal Troubles in the Sociological ImaginationPersonal troubles are problems that are experienced privately by an individual and by those around them. An example of this is when an individual suffers from an undiagnosed physical condition. Public Issues in the Sociological ImaginationPublic issues exist beyond the personal control of an individual and their life. Such issues exist on a societal level. An example is where healthcare facilities are poorly funded, leading to difficulties in diagnosis and medical assistance. Fig. 1 - Mills advocates viewing society not as a member of society, but from the perspective of an outsider. Examples of a Sociological ImaginationIf you're unfamiliar with this concept, we can look at some examples of a sociological imagination. This involves looking at hypothetical scenarios where we demonstrate how to think about issues using a sociological imagination. Understanding Daily Behavior Using a Sociological ImaginationWhilst we may not think twice about doing something ordinary, such as having breakfast, it can be analyzed using different social contexts and perspectives. For example:
Understanding Marriage and Relationships Using a Sociological ImaginationOur actions surrounding marriage and relationships can tell us much about the wider social context.
Understanding Crime and Deviant Behavior Using a Sociological ImaginationOur criminal and/or deviant behaviors can directly relate to the society we live in.
C Wright Mills: The Sociological Imagination (1959)We'd be amiss discussing this topic without reference to the actual 1959 book, The Sociological Imagination, by C. Wright Mills. Let's look at a quote from this book before exploring what it means. When, in a city of 100,000, only one is unemployed, that is his personal trouble, and for its relief we properly look to the character of the individual, his skills and his immediate opportunities. But when in a nation of 50 million employees, 15 million people are unemployed, that is an issue, and we may not hope to find its solution within the range of opportunities open to any one individual...the range of possible solutions require us to consider the economic and political institutions of the society, and not merely the personal situation...of individuals."2 In simpler terms, Mills asks us to consider our place in the context of wider society and the world. We shouldn't look at our personal experiences in isolation but through the lens of society, social issues and structures. Mills argues that many problems faced by individuals have their roots in society, and no problem is unique to that individual. It is likely that many people (thousands or even millions), are facing the same issue. In the example given in the quote, the personal trouble of unemployment is actually due to a wider public issue of mass unemployment due to the large numbers of people experiencing the same personal trouble. As a result, we should connect our personal, individual experiences and perspectives to those of society, its history, and its institutions. If we do this, what seems like a series of bad choices, personal shortcomings, and poor luck may actually turn out to be a structural circumstance. Consider another example. Joseph is a 45-year-old man, and he has been living on the streets for nearly six months now. Very few people give him money to buy food and water. Passers-by are quick to judge him and assume he is on drugs or is lazy, or a criminal. Using the sociological imagination in the case of Joseph involves looking at the reasons for his homelessness. A few factors could be high costs of living and rent, which means he can't afford the resources he'd need for a job interview (a phone, suitable clothing, a resume, and the ability to travel). Even if he had those things, it would be difficult to get a job because there are poor employment opportunities. This is due to the instability of the economy, which means companies probably aren't looking to hire or won't pay very well. Mills claims that sociologists should work with economists, political scientists, psychologists, and historians to capture a more elaborate picture of society. Fig. 2 - Mills argues that many problems faced by individuals have their roots in society, and no problem is unique to that individual. Unemployment is an example of such an issue. Sociological Imagination: a Summary of the Three ElementsMills outlines three main elements to be used when using the sociological imagination. Below is a summary of these. 1. We should see "the inter-connection between our personal experiences and the larger social forces." 2
2. We should identify behaviors that are properties of and a part of social systems.
3. We should identify which social forces influence our behavior.
A Sociological Imagination vs. a Sociological PerspectiveUsing a sociological imagination is not the same as seeing things from a sociological perspective. Sociological perspectives seek to explain behavior and interactions within social groups by placing the behavior in context. The functionalist sociological perspective may explain that someone goes to work because they are fulfilling their role in society. Looking at the same situation, Marxists would explain that someone goes to work because they have to since they are being exploited under capitalism. More broadly, a sociological imagination encourages individuals to make connections between their own lives and society as a whole, whilst sociological perspectives study social groups within social contexts. Sociological Imagination - Key takeaways
References
What is the ability to see the connection between the larger world in your personal life?This ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life is what sociologist C. Wright Mills called the sociological imagination.
What is the ability to grasp the relationship between individual lives and the larger social forces that shape them?The sociological imagination is the ability to grasp the relationship between individual lives and the larger social forces that shape them— that is, to see where biography and history intersect.
What is the ability to see the impact of social forces on our private lives?The sociological imagination is the ability to see the impact of social forces on our private lives- an awareness that our lives lie at the intersection of personal biography and societal history.
What is the name of the interaction between people that takes place through the use of symbols?Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on meanings attached to human interaction, both verbal and non-verbal, and to symbols. Communication—the exchange of meaning through language and symbols—is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds.
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