The Concepts Of Sociological Imagination

1583 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: C. Wright Mills’ sociological imagination

Sociological Imagination is a concept created by C. Wright Mills that he saw as a way that enables its possessor to understand the larger historical scene in one’s life in terms of its meaning of inner as well as external career to a variety of individuals (Garrod, 2016). It is a person’s ability to go beyond the personal issues everyone can experience and connects them to a broader social structure (Naimen, 7). Power is the ability of an individual and/or group of people to be able to carry out their/its will, even when opposed against by others, and is usually in the hands of those who control most of society 's resources (Naimen, 6). The reason why sociologists are interested in studying power and believe it to be an important area of …show more content…

The topics and concepts of proximal relations of power, distal relations of power and the historical aspects of colonialism will help demonstrate the reasons for studying the effects of power as well as showing how sociological imagination ties into the topic. The purpose of studying power is to help us better understand who and what has the control in the societies that we live in. By applying the concept of sociological imagination, people are given the ability to connect their own personal issues to the issues that society as a whole have to deal with. To better understand the power dynamic is a key reason why sociologists study the concept of power. In society, it can be agreed that there are two main types of power, proximal relations of power and distal relations of power. Proximal relations of power deals within the personal relationships in society, whereas distal relations of power are related to society in a more abstract way that affects it as a …show more content…

They were able to connect their suffering, their personal problems to a greater level. They could link the distal relations of power to their own immediate situations (Naimen, 7). By studying power and the control it can have over people, and by looking into the past, we can see how that type of control can lead to terrible outcomes for both small groups and society as a whole. We have come to know that every individual life, from one generation to the next, in society has lived it out within some historical sequence merely by the fact that people live, they contribute, no matter how minutely, to the shaping of their society and to the course of its history (Mills, N/A). So by making sure power is used in a way that does not interfere with this idea we can see when critical issues, which span throughout time, do not have to continue. They can in fact be stopped before having and wide ranging detrimental effects if we learn to understand how to use power through studying it over time. In conclusion, the concept of power is something that has been around for as long as there have been people. And it will continue to be a part of society for as long as people

Show More
Related

  • Essay Comparing Frankenstein And Harrison Bergeron

    1309 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is power to a human? As time has gone by, there have been many forms of control and influence in the world. Many strive to achieve total rule over a society or group of individuals. Yet the question still presents itself to the average man. Why does man desire power so greatly even though there is visible trouble that follows? Shelley’s Frankenstein, Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, whether through the situation or the character themselves, depict the evils and hardships due to an imbalance and poor management of power.

    Read More

  • Forced Labor in "King Leopold’s Ghost"

    1342 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sociology 1010. York University. 11 January 2010 Landstreet, Peter. A. The “Power and Power Relations Lecture”.

    Read More

  • A Secret Life by Stephen Dunn, and Michael Foucault’s idea Panopticism

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...form of power. The subject that is currently in control is not in control for the long run. There are other opposing forces that will eventually come along to overthrow subjects in power. If the world stayed the same and power never shifted then we as a human race would be destined for failure. Thankfully that hasn’t happened yet, but we can look in our school’s history textbooks and find plenty of situations where certain regimes didn’t hold out and were annihilated by others. This is a natural cycle of the universe that prevents too much power from existing. It’s important for individuals living today to be able to recognize the power within them and the power that’s morally and rightfully accessible to them. Moreover, it’s important for people to understand the boundaries and limits of today’s society and that a relationship with power is fragile; don’t abuse it.

    Read More

  • Power

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    Power. It is defined as the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. Throughout time, certain individuals have acquired power in their society as a way to govern and keep order among their community. Power is not a new concept; it was used in the past by many emperors, kings, and queens, and is still being used by presidents, prime ministers, and dictators. Although, it has been used to further progress societies into what the world is like today, not all power has been used for the best of mankind. But what goes awry to make power turn corrupt? In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is illustrated how power can turn corrupt, when authoritative figures, who possess power, abuse it for their personal gain, rather than for the common good of the society.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Sociological Imagination

    1212 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Sociological Imagination speaks to the understanding of our own actions being a part of a larger historical and social picture. It encourages us to see what influences we have and what influences society has over our own individual lives, whether our decisions are determined by sociological factors and forces or are entirely in our own control. The sociological imagination enables us to see the relationship between history and biography. It helps us to understand the relationship between personal troubles and public issues, and as well as this, it addresses the three profound questions that C. Wright Mills asked. The three videos given, offer a range of successful and unsuccessful insight and explanations about the sociological

    Read More

  • The Power of Kurtz in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    Power has been defined as the psychological relations over another to get them to do what you want them to do.  We are exposed to forms of power from the time of birth.  Our parents exercise power over us to behave in a way they deem appropriate. In school, teachers use their power to help us learn.  When we enter the work world the power of our boss motivates us to perform and desire to move up the corporate ladder so that we too can intimidate someone with power one day.  In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Kurtz had a power over the jungle and its people that was inexplicable.

    Read More

  • Little Brother Essay

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    According the Manuel Castells, "power is the structural capacity of a social actor to impose over other social actors" and throughout history we see that there will always be a counter power that goes against this power. In Littl...

    Read More

  • What Is The Importance Of Sociological Imagination

    306 Words  | 1 Pages

    Sociology Imagination was created by American Sociologist C. Wright Mills, it shows us that in order for us to understand how our lives are being controlled and the problems that arise, that it is not always the sole individual at fault. We need to consider social issues, cultural values and their place in history that may have influenced the situation. It is also the ability to see that each thing we do by living, we contribute however minutely, shaping society, and in turn society is shaping us, as individuals. The sociological imagination enables people to distinguish between personal problems and public issues. In effect, Mills is stating that sociological imagination is the ability to perceive situations and circumstances in a different context, such as a wide social context, and observe how interactions and actions are influential upon other individuals and situations.

    Read More

  • Uses of Power

    1625 Words  | 4 Pages

    Power is a quality, a tool, and a weapon utilized for a variety of reasons. It is in the form of a quality in which it gives the possessor, a sense of control. In the form of a weapon, power is possessed in order to produce a negative environment of hurt and punishment. But, in the form of a tool, power may be used in order to gain something more, something positive. Thus, power creates a sense of superiority which may result in consequences on both side of the spectrum, the good or the bad.

    Read More

  • Sociological Imagination

    668 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term Sociological Imagination was coined by C. Wright Mills and refers to seeing sociological situations from a broad point of view, going beyond one’s thoughts and feelings, and by seeing how others would see it. In the textbook Introduction to Sociology by Giddens, et al. Al Mills argued that we needed to “overcome our limited perspective. [and have] a certain quality of mind that makes it possible to understand the larger meaning of our experiences” (4). Therefore, one should look at the overall social problems and not at a specific individual’s situation.

    Read More

  • Essay On Panopticism

    1176 Words  | 3 Pages

    He who is subjected to a field of visibility, and who knows it, assumes responsibility for the constraints of power; he makes them play spontaneously upon himself; he inscribes in himself the power of relation in which he simultaneously plays both roles; he becomes the principle of his own subjection. By this very fact, the external power may throw off its physical weight; it tends to be non-corporal; and, the more it approaches this limit, the more constant, profound, and permanent are its effects; it is a perpetual victory that avoids any physical confrontation and which is always decided in advance.

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast of the Three Faces of Power

    1832 Words  | 4 Pages

    Some theorists believe that ‘power is everywhere: not because it embraces everything, but because it comes from everywhere… power is not an institution, nor a structure, nor possession. It is the name we give to a complex strategic situation in a particular society. (Foucault, 1990: 93) This is because power is present in each individual and in every relationship. It is defined as the ability of a group to get another group to take some form of desired action, usually by consensual power and sometimes by force. (Holmes, Hughes &Julian, 2007) There have been a number of differing views on ‘power over’ the many years in which it has been studied. Theorist such as Anthony Gidden in his works on structuration theory attempts to integrate basic structural analyses and agency-centred traditions. According to this, people are free to act, but they must also use and replicate fundamental structures of power by and through their own actions. Power is wielded and maintained by how one ‘makes a difference’ and based on their decisions and actions, if one fails to exercise power, that is to ‘make a difference’ then power is lost. (Giddens: 1984: 14) However, more recent theorists have revisited older conceptions including the power one has over another and within the decision-making processes, and power, as the ability to set specific, wanted agendas. To put it simply, power is the ability to get others to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. In the political arena, therefore, power is the ability to make or influence decisions that other people are bound by.

    Read More

  • Sociological Imagination vs. Common Sense

    1814 Words  | 4 Pages

    Scanlan J Stephen; Guest-editor; Grauerjolz Liz (2009) 50 Years of C.Wright Mills and the Sociological Imagination, Teaching Sociology 37, (1), pp1-7

    Read More

  • Community Power and Participatory Decision-Making

    2295 Words  | 5 Pages

    Attempts to define power have been traditionalistic, contentious and mundane despite the concept’s widespread use. Two salient features were presented for the controversial assumptions in defining power: power as domination and power as empowerment. In seeking to comprehensively reconcile the “contestedness” about power, Steven Lukes (2005) observes that how we conceive of power makes a difference to how we think and act in general especially in social contexts. The views of power can be a personal process where the interviews and the focus group served as helping the participants grapple with the controversy and discomfort surrounding the concept.

    Read More

  • Sociological Imagination Essay

    433 Words  | 1 Pages

    A)Summary: The sociological imagination can be applied directly to our individual lives. It consider about what specific things do we actual need. we should be able to recognize the practical and immediate value of sociology to solving the problems we met. It refers to the ability to connect biography with history. sociological imagination is to help develop the ability to participate in social life and step back and analyze broader meanings of what is going on in the world around us. It suggests that people look at their own personal problems as social issues and, in general, try to connect their own individual experiences with the workings of society. So we all have a sociological imagination. It just requires development.

    Read More

More about The Concepts Of Sociological Imagination

Open Document