Question

How do Malcom Gladwell's ideas utilize the Sociological perspective and the Sociological Imagination (Biography and History)? How does his theory help you better understand the connection between the individual and society?

Answer 1

The sociological perspective is a theory that attempts to understand and explain occurrences in human's social behavior. In Outliers, Gladwell attempts to explain the reasons why people become successful so that his audience understands the complex web of factors--both controlled and uncontrolled--that contribute to a person's success. In part, Gladwell's arguments challenge the American ethos of "if you work hard, you will succeed" by saying that some factors that determine success are out of an individual's control. For example, in his first "case study," Gladwell says that successful hockey players are born early in the calendar year (a factor that is beyond a person's control) and that this makes them stand out physically among other boys who are several months younger than they are. Gladwell says that over time, the opportunities that these players have build up to make them better players. So, Gladwell uses a sociological perspective to try to explain the reasons for people's success.

Sociological imagination helps us understand

1) our location in society and history

2) social similarities and or differences

3) impact of large social factors and meaning and experience

Through the use of individual stories,malcom gladwell asserts that there are key factors in how some people become highly successful and these key factors are not based on intelligence or innate ability.

It explores how people become outliers and by understanding the factors involved,gladwell hopes that as a society we can have more control of who and how many people can succeed.