1. Define the sociological perspective or imagination, cite its components, and explain how they were defended by C. Wright Mills.
The sociological imagination is defined as being a way of thinking that helps us use information or data to form theories about the social patterns around us. We collect information and from that information we may make judgments or prediction. However we cannot view society in one’s own point of view. Everyone is different so it is important to not only form our own theories but also to take into consideration other theories. It is not possible to understand why people act the way they do if we are not open to hearing their reasoning and thoughts. Our own thoughts are only one version of a sea of other
The Cultural transmission/Differential Association theory states that all behavior is learned; therefore deviant behavior is also learned. The deviant “teacher” passes on the learned deviant behavior. If we are only taught normal behavior then wouldn’t we only express normal behavior? If we are taught deviant behavior then we are often more likely to perform deviant behavior. I find this to be the most relevant theory for deviant behavior.
The Control Theory states that "normal behavior" is shaped by the power of social control mechanisms in our culture. This theory also asks the questions: Why do we not commit deviance? Basically this theory constitutes why normal behavior is normal behavior and because we act “normally” we thrive in society and that is the reason for the “norms”.
The Labeling theory states that deviance is a social process whereby some people are able to define others as deviant. It is not until a label is given to someone by someone else in a position of social power that the person actually deviant. In other words if a person of higher status labels that person as deviant then that person is a deviant, but until that person is labeled deviant they are not considered deviant. I think of this theory as a judge being the higher status and until that judge convicts the felon or “deviant” he is otherwise not