The sociological imagination, the ability to see the details of our own lives in the context of larger social structures as opposed to merely personal choices or personal troubles, is a skill you can develop that will help you be a more empathic and caring health professional. If we are all honest, at times, we have a tendency to judge others based on their appearance or circumstances. For example, have you ever caught yourself at the grocery store checkout lane thinking, “Why is that low-income individual spending their limited resources on cigarettes and junk food?” You may have a patient that you are providing care for who is engaging in unhealthy personal habits, and it is easy to fall into the trap of blaming the individual for their lifestyle choices. When you use your sociological imagination, you can see past the personal troubles and see the habits in the context of larger social structures and issues. Tobacco companies spend more than $8 billion on cigarette advertising and other promotional efforts, and much of this advertising is aimed at teenagers and low-income neighborhoods and communities. This advertising contributes to approximately 18 percent of all adults 18 and older who smoke cigarettes regularly. Adults without a high school degree and below the 100 percent poverty line are dramatically more likely to smoke than wealthier individuals with a college degree. The lower the educational level, the less successful individuals tend to be at quitting smoking. Therefore, instead of looking at the individual smoker, the sociological imagination views the contributing social factors such as targeted advertising, education, and income. This sociological skill may help you see your patients in a whole new light!