John is taking an introductory sociology class. As a result, he is conscious of his environment and carefully thinks about what he sees rather than jumping to quick conclusions. He notices a homeless man on his way to class every day. Using his sociological imagination, what might John conclude about this man's circumstances?
A) John reacts with frustration. He considers the homeless man's situation as a personal problem. The man, obviously, is lazy and chooses not to work.
B) John reacts with indifference. Although he would not make the same choice, the homeless man, obviously, has chosen to live off handouts rather than work.
C) John reacts with sympathy. He considers the social circumstances that may have drawn the homeless man into poverty. He wonders why so many people are unemployed. He concludes that, being in a period of social change, where globalization and other factors are restructuring our economic lives, the homeless man has lost his housing along with his job.
D) John is sympathetic and inclined to believe that substance abuse is a disease. The homeless man, obviously, is an alcoholic, but his particular disease-alcoholism-is a personal, not a social, issue.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

John's use of sociological imagination allows him to consider the social factors that may have contributed to the man's homelessness, such as unemployment and wider economic changes. This suggests that John is aware of the broader social context in which personal problems like homelessness can arise, rather than simply blaming the individual themselves.

John Is Taking an Introductory Sociology Class