Looking at the World Sociologically To look at the world sociologically, you must first understand the definition of sociology. Sociologists, according to Peter L. Berger, are people who are “intensely, incessantly, and unashamedly interested in the actions of men.” They study people in their natural habitat, which is wherever people congregate. So, to look at the world from this perspective, one should “think systematically about how many things we experience as personal problems are actually social issues widely shared by others born in a time and social position similar to ours.” (Pearson Custom Sociology, 5) This is known as the “sociological imagination,” first coined by C. Wright Mills. In The Promise, Mills describes how there is a connection between our problems and those of the social world. To understand these connections, however, it is necessary to look at the different aspects that make up the social world and how they influence us. The various topics to understand when looking at the world sociologically are social structure, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and social interaction. One aspect of sociology is social structure. Social structures are everywhere and essentially determine how our society functions. The decisions made by individuals on a daily basis are limited and influenced by their position in the social structure. There are many positive and negative aspects to look at when it comes to social structure. On a positive note: social life is not possible without structure. These structures give order and rhythm to the daily lives of individuals. Without them you would probably get lost, so it is useful in the sense of being a guide. However there are also negative aspects. When the social hierarchs...... middle of paper ...... until they agreed that they were mentally ill. They had to accept the label. This study led to the closure of many psychiatric hospitals. This study demonstrated the dangerous power that labeling has on individuals and groups. In conclusion, all of us, as individuals, must look at the world from a sociological point of view. Every day we are faced with conflicts and injustices. Social interaction provides us with the tools to understand our personal self in relation to others in the world. To improve our world we must realize that we as individuals are influenced by the environment, time period, parents, and childhood and adult experiences. We are not just individuals but part of the social world. In Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills stated that “the sociological imagination allows us to grasp history, biography, and the relationships between the two within society.