Question

Explain C. Wright Mills’ concept of sociological imagination. Reflecting on your own experiences, discuss 3 examples from your own life where you have used your sociological imagination.

Answer 1

Sociological imagination is the ability to see things socially and how they interact and influence each other. To have a sociological imagination, a person must be able to pull away from the situation and think from an alternative point of view. Examples from our own life where we have used our sociological imagination include;

Tea drinking can be considered a tradition or a ritual, as many people choose to make tea, in the same way, every day at a certain time.

Tea drinking can be considered an addiction because it contains caffeine.

Tea drinking can be seen as a social activity because “meeting for tea” focuses less on the beverage and more on talking with others.