Theories Of Sociological Imagination

Sociological imagination is the study sociologist uses to understand people’s behavior by looking beyond those individuals to the larger picture or social context in which they live in. The main theories of sociology are functionalists, conflict perspective, and symbolic interactionist perspective. They relate to sociological imagination because these theories analyze the different perspective and how society affects individuals as a whole. For example, the functions in my life are my family and friends. If I didn’t have these foundations, or institutions, then my life would become dysfunctional and I would probably end up in a gang. A conflict perspective would say that I joined a gang because my mom and I were always in conflict of power
If one part fails, the whole system fails. These functions are called institutions, such as families, friends, religion/beliefs, etc., which are integrated parts that hold society together. Reasons as to why young adults join gangs are because they lack these institutions and are dysfunctional. Leifel, in Back in the Hood: Gang War 2, states that he joined a gang because there was the lack of comfort that should've been provided by his family. Since they were never around and the display of affections were looked down upon, Leifel reached for the gang because it was the missing piece of the puzzle: the gang became his family. Not only that but children feel a sense of rolelessness, so by joining a gang they feel a sense of importance, responsibility, and have a role in society. Since there are different levels of gang members, children join them because they are given a role in the gang’s society (Carlie). Functionalists also believe that society cannot survive unless the members share common beliefs and values. By having common beliefs and values that means society is held by consensus--people must work together in order to ensure stability. Nonetheless, they believe that society changes at a slow and steady pace. The main theorists for this theory are Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Robert
One way to think of it is by picturing a snake. A snake can mean many different things, but each person has their own way of interpreting it. That’s how symbolic interactionist theorists observes society; through individuals. Like for example, in America the pinky finger is a sign of promise, but in China it is seen as vulgar language. Or like in gangs, some kids join them because of the symbolic meanings of being one. The guns represent power, the money represents wealth, joining the gang means the hot girls, etc. Young adults are permeable to this as gang members try to seduce them with glorified stories (Carlie). Nonetheless, these theorists also look at we are doing because we have roles within society. Adolescents join gangs because they believe that their role in society is fighting against poverty through gangs. Since gangs supposedly represents power and wealth, children join them so that they can get out of being poor and gain power against the community. The main theorists are Max Weber, George H. Mead, and Herbert Blumer. These guys have the basic assumption that society is a process in which humans construct or negotiate to create social order. As gang members hold meaning to their position, that symbolic relationship dictates how they believe society should be