Lesson 1 – The Sociological Imagination

Social ProblemsRobert Wonser

What is a social problem?

Social problems Consist of objective and subjective criteria

Objective – the existence of a social condition

Subjective – the belief that a particular social condition is harmful to society or to a segment of society and that it should and can be changed

Therefore:

A social problem is a social condition that a segment of society views as harmful to members of society and in need of remedy

Ex: Poverty Crime Etc

Sociological Imagination

C Wright Mills’ term for the ability to shift your perspective from one that emphasizes the experiences of the individual to one that understands the broader social context in which that individual lives.

It is an awareness that we are a part of something larger than ourselves and that our position and personal problems are rooted in the larger workings of society.

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Individual vs Society

While it is tempting to explain everything from the point of view of individuals and individuals’ choices, it is important to remember the social context and group affiliations.

For example: Why is there a gender pay gap? Glass ceiling versus Glass Escalator

Why has the gap between black families income and white families’ incomes remained relatively constant since the Civil Rights Era even though the families themselves are different?

Why are you here today?

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What Makes Sociology Unique? The Sociological Imagination

C. Wright Mills used the term sociological imagination as a quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level.

Personal troubles versus public issues

Ex: unemployment, obesity

C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)

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Using your Sociological Imagination

In small groups:

How would you explain the following social problems using the sociological imagination/perspective? Obesity Homelessness/Poverty Unemployment Marriage The metropolis War

Three Sociological Theories

Functionalism

Conflict Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

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Functionalism

Structural Functionalism or simply functionalism begins with the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures.

Its origins can be traced to the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim. Parsons and Merton in US

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Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory sees social conflict as the basis of society and social change, and emphasizes a materialist view of society, a critical view of the status quo, and a dynamic model of historical change, emerged from the writings of Marx.

Power imbalances and class based analyses.

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Symbolic Interactionism

Symbols + interaction

Symbolic Interactionism sees interaction and meaning as central to society and assumes that meanings are not inherent but are created through interaction.

Interaction of meaningful symbols.

It is America’s unique contribution to sociology and has proved to be the most influential perspective of the twentieth century.

Comes from George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley and Herbert Blumer