SOCS 185 Week 1 Sociological Imagination Assignment

Name

Chamberlain University

SOCS-185 Culture & Society

Prof. Name

Date

The Influence of Socialization on Behavior and Lifestyle Choices

Many individuals find themselves grappling with behaviors, habits, or problems that are often attributed to personal weaknesses. When we fail to understand why we behave the way we do, it is easy to attribute it to personal shortcomings or “free will.” However, C. Wright Mills, in his book Sociological Imagination, suggests that our problems are not entirely personal but rather shaped by societal forces. Society plays a pivotal role in shaping our experiences and behaviors, and recognizing this is key to understanding ourselves.

An example of this societal influence is illustrated by my younger cousin Elizabeth, who suffered from bulimia for a year without the family’s knowledge. Bulimia is a disorder driven by an individual’s distorted body image, often fueled by society’s unrealistic beauty standards. In Elizabeth’s case, she aspired to look like media icons, such as Kendall Jenner. Social media and her peers reinforced these beauty standards, which drove her to take extreme measures to achieve the “ideal” body image. This highlights the significant role society and media play in shaping young people’s perceptions of themselves, often to their detriment.