Sociological imagination is a term used in the field of sociology to describe a framework for understanding social reality that places personal experiences within a broader social and historical context.[1] Show
It was coined by American sociologist C. Wright Mills in his 1959 book The Sociological Imagination to describe the type of insight offered by the discipline of sociology.[2]: 5, 7 Today, the term is used in introductory textbooks in sociology to explain the nature of sociology and its relevance in daily life.[1] Definitions[edit]In The Sociological Imagination, Mills attempts to reconcile two different and abstract concepts of social reality—the "individual" and "society."[3] Accordingly, Mills defined sociological imagination as "the awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society."[2] Later sociologists have different perspectives on the concept, but they share some overlapping themes. Sociological imagination is an outlook on life that involves an individual developing a deep understanding of how their biography is a result of historical process and occurs within a larger social context.[4] As per Anthony Giddens, the term is: The application of imaginative thought to the asking and answering of sociological questions. Someone using the sociological imagination "thinks himself away" from the familiar routines of daily life.[4]There is an urge to know the historical and sociological meaning of the singular individual in society, particularly within their time period. To do this one may use the sociological imagination to better understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner self and external career of a variety of individuals.[2]: 5, 7 The sociological imagination can be seen practiced if one reflects on their history for all past events have led up to the present, mostly following the same pattern. Mills argued that history is an important element in sociological imagination. These different historical events have shaped modern society as a whole and each individual within it. It allows a person to see where their life is at compared to others, based on past experiences. Mills argues that one can only truly understand themselves if they can truly understand their circumstances.[5] Another perspective is that Mills chose sociology because he felt it was a discipline that "could offer the concepts and skills to expose and respond to social injustice."[6] He eventually became disappointed with his profession of sociology because he felt it was abandoning its responsibilities, which he criticized in The Sociological Imagination. In some introductory sociology classes, the sociological imagination is brought up along with Mills and how he characterized the sociological imagination as a critical quality of mind that would help individuals, "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."[7] Real-life application[edit]Lack of Sociological Imagination[edit]Social imagination allows one to make more self-aware decisions rather than be swayed by social norms or factors that may otherwise dictate actions. The lack of a sociological imagination can render people very apathetic. This apathy expresses itself as a lack of indignation in scenarios dealing with moral horror. The Holocaust is a classical example of what happens when a society renders itself to the power of a leader and doesn't use sociological imagination. Social apathy can lead to accepting atrocities performed by leaders (political or familiar) and the lack of ability to react morally to the actions and decisions of their leaders. The Holocaust was based on the principle of absolute power in a dictatorship where society fell victim to apathy and willingly looked away from the horrors they committed. They willfully accepted the decisions taken by Adolf Hitler and carried out the orders because they had lost self-awareness and moral code, then adopting the new social moral code. In doing this they lost the ability to morally react to Hitler's command and in turn slaughtered more than 6,000,000 Jews, other minorities, and disabled persons.[8] The sociological imagination encompasses sociological concepts and information of the world as a society;[1] how people interpret it and how they see it. One must understand the life of an individual and the life of society simultaneously, in order to make a connection. Thus, making a comparison of situations in one's life to the situations in the real world society. This can help make a difference in how people view the world and how they get past specific mental obstacles in order to relate to people, events, and situations that are usually not in their control. This causes one to put themselves in other's shoes, thus, solve some of one's problems and in turn, personally benefiting oneself. All of this comes with the simple differing of people's personal situations and societal situations, ones that affect an entire community. In turn, figuring out how to use the daily struggles and things in society to come out making better personal choices and benefiting themselves, making the world a better place, making life easier, less stressful, and overall, putting people in situations that benefit them and make them happy and in turn doing the right thing as an individual.[9][10] Uses in films[edit]Those who teach courses in social problems report[citation needed] using films to teach about war, to aid students in adopting a global perspective, and to confront issues of race relations. There are benefits of using film as part of a multimedia approach to teaching courses in popular culture. It provides students of medical sociology with case studies for hands-on observational experiences. It acknowledges the value of films as historical documentation of changes in cultural ideas, materials, and institutions. Feature films are used in introductory sociology courses to demonstrate the current relevance of sociological thinking and to show how the sociological imagination helps people make sense of their social world. Films, as a familiar medium for students, helps them make connections between their own experiences and broader theory.[11] The underlying assumption is that the sociological imagination is best developed and exercised in the introductory class by linking new materials in the context of conflict theory and functionalism.[12] The sociological imagination as used in the determining and analysis of feature films is somewhat important to the average sociological standpoint, but in channeling the sociological imagination viewpoint, can become a helpful tool in learning about sociological perspectives, thus gaining it in the process. Both sociology and film making really go hand in hand, because of the message and theme that is being portrayed and the viewers reaction because of this thus, creating room for debate in terms of interpretation. For example, creating a film that introduces character from four different angles and situations in life, drawing upon social, psychological, and moral standards of life to bring together one, central ideal that echoes through the overall meaning and reasoning behind the actions taken by individuals, as well as the overall outcome of the story in general. Through the viewing, discussions take place amongst the individuals that view the film with intent on entertainment satisfaction or even the notion to truly understand or interpret the films theme. IN this discussion, plot points are made, conclusions are drawn upon and many minor problems/situations in modern society are indeed fixed, if at the least made into a compromise for the benefit of certain groups, situations, and processes that are ongoing in today's world. So, this creates further sociological imagination to find beneficial and efficient ways to help people, determine things morally permissible or not, and even giving way to new ideas and ways to network people through correlating ideologies and aspects, which can change or even add sociological perspective to someone's state of mind.[13] Creation[edit]Mills created tips to help conduct valid and reliable sociological study using sociological imagination:[2]
Other theories[edit]Herbert Blumer, in his work Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method, developed the idea of a non-standard look at the world; helping social scientists to understand and analyze the study area.[14]
Howard S. Becker, being a disciple of Blumer, continued to develop his idea of a particular look at the objects under study, and in 1998 wrote the book Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You're Doing It, wherein he gives a list of recommendations that may be useful in conducting sociological research. His main idea is to create a comprehensive picture of the object being studied, phenomenon or social group. To this end, he proposes to pay particular attention on statistical and historical knowledge before the conducting research, use critical thinking, trying to create a universal picture of the world, to make the result of the research understandable and acceptable for everyone.[15] Sociological perspective[edit]The related term "sociological perspective" was coined by Peter L. Berger, describing it as seeing "the general in the particular," and as helping sociologists realize general patterns in the behavior of specific individuals.[16] One can think of the sociological perspective as one's own personal choice and how society plays a role in shaping individuals' lives.[16] See also[edit]
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What is an awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society?In The Sociological Imagination, Mills attempts to reconcile two different and abstract concepts of social reality—the "individual" and "society." Accordingly, Mills defined sociological imagination as "the awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society."
Which term is defined as the study of specific relationships between individuals or small groups?Sociology is the study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups.
What is defined as a set of statements that seeks to explain problems actions or behavior?Theory: in sociology a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior.
What term refers to a set of ideas that explains a range of human behaviors and a variety of social and societal events?A third type of question sociologists may ask is historical. Sociologists are interested in trends. Sociological Theory. A set of ideas that explains a range of human behavior and a variety of social and societal events. Problems in Collecting Data (What Problems Do Sociologists Encounter When Trying To Collect Data?)
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