C.Wright Mills is an American Sociologist who introduced the concept of Sociological Imagination. Sociological Imagination is the capacity of sociologists to dedifferentiate between “personal troubles” and “social issues”. He Identifies the “generation gap”, unemployment, changes in occupational structure, communalism, casteism, etc. as societal issues. He identifies gender inequalities also as a social problem. At the same time, he identifies personal trouble as something arising from the individual which has an effect on his or her immediate context.

Which one of the following can constitute personal trouble?

Job-related depression.

The correct answer is Option 3: Job-related depression.

C. Wright Mills distinguishes between personal troubles (which affect individuals and their immediate surroundings) and social issues (which arise from societal structures and affect larger groups).

• Caste-based discrimination (Option 1) and decline in job demand (Option 2) are social issues because they affect entire communities or occupational groups.

• Job-related depression (Option 3) is a personal trouble because it directly impacts an individual's mental health and immediate context.