Unit One Targets

1. C. Wright Mills's Sociological Imagination:
        Mills defines sociological imagination as "the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society." In simpler words, sociological imagination is understanding that things in society leads to certain outcomes. Everything we do and say are shaped by previous experiences, and situations we are currently in. Also, our sociological imagination is affected by the way people act around us, and our values. An example is that I strive to have perfect skin and have the perfect body. These characteristics often stress me out. This relates to the American image of a models perfect skin complexion and body type - thin with clear, flawless skin. Centuries ago, thin wasn't considered beautiful. An example that relates to the lives of others is the economy. Kids worry about personal problems like not having summer jobs or jobs to get quick cash during the school year. This relates to the public issue of the economy in the United States.


2. Peter Berger's Social Construction of Reality:
       The concept of the social construction of reality is that groups play certain roles interacting in a social system influencing other groups. Social construction of reality creatively shapes reality through social interaction.  Social reality is socially constructed. Signs and language play important roles. A prime example throughout the world is High School. In that social institution, the nerds are the losers and the jocks/cheerleaders have superiority over them. Kids place importance on things that should not be relevant in the real world.


3. Michael Schwalbe's Sociological Mindfulness
      Schwalbe says that sociological mindfulness "is especially important for helping us see that the consequences of our words and deeds often escape our intentions". In simpler words, people need to take a step back and realize how every single thing we do or say has an affect on other people, even if we don't intend to have meaning behind it. Our actions have consequences. In order to be sociologically mindful, people must be compassionate of others. One should do community service to be sociologically mindful of others. In return for saying something that you didn't mean to be hurtful, make up for it by being mindful of someone else by helping them.