In order to define 'sociology ' we must first look at our world in a bigger picture. The term 'sociology ' can be perceived as the outcome of people 's search for compelling, consistent, and specific facts about people and society. The theory of society being that "behaviour is influenced by social, political, occupational and intellectual groups and by particular settings in which individuals find themselves". Furthermore, sociology offers us a better understanding of the society in which we live, by considering "how people view themselves and how much of their life 's outcomes are incorporated with society 's influence" (Bilton, 1987, Ch.1).
This outlook of ones perceptive of person and society is the essence of 'sociological imagination '. The sociological imagination is the ability to see our private experiences and personal difficulties as entwined with the structural arrangements of our society and the times in which we live.
References: ilton, T., et al, (1987) Introductory Sociology, 2nd edition, Macmillan, London. Ch 1Waters, M. and Crook, R. (1993), Sociology One, 3rd edition, Longman Cheshire, MelbourneMills, C. Wright (1978) "The Promise" in The Sociological Imagination. New York: Oxford University Press. Ch1. Van Krieken, R., Smith, P. Habibis, D, McDonald, K., Haralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (2000) Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, 2nd edition. Longman, Melbourne. Ch.1Holmes, D., Hughes, K. and Julian, R. (2003) Australian Sociology: A Changing Society. Pearson Education Australia. Sydney. Ch.1Sociology Essayhttp://www.sociopathic.net/rants/sociology.htm