Question 1

According to C. Wright Mills, the history that affects every individual is now ______ history.
A) life
B) world
C) generational
D) technological

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills introduced the concept of "the sociological imagination," which involves understanding the relationship between personal troubles and public issues. In his view, individuals cannot fully understand their own lives without understanding the broader social and historical context in which they exist. He referred to this broader context as "world history." Therefore, the history that affects every individual is world history.

Question 2

The sociological imagination has the capacity to shift from the political to the ______ perspective.
A) criminological
B) sociological
C) gerontological
D) psychological

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is the ability to understand how larger social forces shape the individual's experiences and actions. It allows us to move beyond a narrow, individualistic perspective and recognize the broader social, historical, and cultural contexts that influence people's lives. While the sociological imagination is often associated with sociology, it can be applied to a wide range of disciplines, including criminology, gerontology, and psychology. However, the question asks for the perspective that it can shift to, which implies that the sociological imagination is not limited to one perspective but can move from one to another. Therefore, the best answer is D, psychological, as it suggests that the sociological imagination can shift from the political to the individual or psychological perspective.

Question 3

Mills contends that individuals feel ______ by their private lives.
A) judged
B) trapped
C) undone
D) transformed

Accepted Answer

Mills argues that individuals often feel trapped by their private lives, suggesting a sense of being confined or limited by personal circumstances.

Question 4

Mills refers to the sociological imagination as the ______.
A) promise
B) deterrent
C) failure
D) debate

Accepted Answer

Mills referred to the sociological imagination as the promise of being able to connect personal troubles to public issues and understand the larger social forces at play in shaping individual experiences.

Question 5

According to Mills, individuals are seldom aware of the connection between their ______.
A) behavior and their troubles
B) thoughts and their actions
C) jobs and their family
D) private lives and history

Accepted Answer

According to Mills, individuals are often unaware of the connection between their private lives and broader historical processes. This concept is central to his sociological imagination theory, which emphasizes understanding personal experiences within a larger social and historical context.

Question 6

The sociological imagination is best described as ______.
A) quality of mind
B) imperative information
C) moral energy
D) statements of value

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is a quality of mind that allows individuals to understand how their personal experiences and actions are shaped by larger societal forces or structures. It involves being able to see the connections between individual lives and the broader historical, cultural, economic, and political factors that shape them. It is not imperative information or statements of value, and while it may lead to moral energy, that is not its primary focus.

Question 7

A trouble is a ______ matter.
A) public
B) private
C) transcendent
D) theoretical

Accepted Answer

A trouble is a personal issue or difficulty, rather than a matter that should be publicly addressed or discussed. The other options do not accurately describe the nature of a trouble.

Question 8

According to Mills, no social study that does not come back to the problems of ______ and ______-and of their intersections within a society-has completed its intellectual journey.
A) biography; history
B) family; identity
C) work; industry
D) nature; understanding

Accepted Answer

Mills believed that a social study must explore the intersection between personal biography and larger historical forces in order to fully understand society.

Question 9

Why does Mills believe there is a great need for sociological imagination in the modern world?
A) We can no longer understand our own minds.
B) There is a decline in spirituality.
C) We are experiencing monumental change.
D) There is a rise in personal problems.

Accepted Answer

Mills believes there is a great need for sociological imagination in the modern world because we are experiencing monumental change, such as globalization, urbanization, and technological advancements, which require us to understand how societal structures and institutions influence our personal experiences and behaviors.

Question 10

What is the task of the classic social analyst?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the task of the classic...

Question 11

Define troubles and issues.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define troubles and issues....

Question 12

Describe how war can be both a personal trouble and a social issue.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how war can be both a...

Question 13

Identify the first fruit of the sociological imagination.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the first fruit of the sociological...

Question 14

Which distinction is a feature of all classic work in social science?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which distinction is a feature of all...

Quiz 1: The Promise

According to C. Wright Mills, the history that affects every individual is now ______ history.

The sociological imagination has the capacity to shift from the political to the ______ perspective.

Mills contends that individuals feel ______ by their private lives.

Mills refers to the sociological imagination as the ______.

According to Mills, individuals are seldom aware of the connection between their ______.

The sociological imagination is best described as ______.

A trouble is a ______ matter.

According to Mills, no social study that does not come back to the problems of and -and of their intersections within a society-has completed its intellectual journey.

Why does Mills believe there is a great need for sociological imagination in the modern world?

What is the task of the classic social analyst?

Define troubles and issues.

Describe how war can be both a personal trouble and a social issue.

Identify the first fruit of the sociological imagination.

Which distinction is a feature of all classic work in social science?