Relevance of Sociological Theories to Health - Coursework Example

Relevance of Sociological Theories to Health Introduction Sociology can be defined as the study of human social behavior and social relationships concerning it self specifically how it functions as an institution in relation to the rest of society. What exactly is the relationship that exists between sociology and health? Many would not immediately think of it, but social theories are of utmost importance in the field of health. Phenomena’s such as industrialization and urbanization have given change to the development of medicine in itself and to the way that society perceives illnesses, cures and the behavior of institutions that deal with health care. Through sociological theories, the capabilities of people who work in the medical field are enhanced by putting into application the theories in order to have a stronger health practice (Scrambler, 2001). This can be done via the understanding of health and social problems, the interpretation of results of the studies and in planning actions towards the known areas of difficulty. Theories in sociology presented may come from a broad spectrum ranging from frame works to actual working models. Since it would entail great difficulty to gather every single theory there is the relation to this topic, the study of the types of sociological theories that affect health will be much more appropriate. Understanding these types of theories and how they can affect and influence the health care is juxtaposed to knowing the theories themselves. For better understanding we take into consideration: structural functionalism, positivism, social construction, post modernism, critical theory, feminist theory, conflict theory and symbolic interaction. Structural Functionalism Structural functionalism looks upon the role that is played in society by the sick. Talcott Parson has given light on this through the sick role mechanism which is that in the event of illness, there is a need to seek professional advice to recover and in order to be exempted from their usual tasks; and to not be held responsible for the situation or condition which they are in (Parson, 1998). Those who are in the medical field are given the authority to remove the blame from the ill and allow them to be out of the work environment for the moment. This helps to show what exactly the role of a sick person in society is versus the role of a health person in society. Those who are in the sick role display four characteristics, mentioned earlier. Through this we realize that society should be able to perform capably as a whole for the benefit of everybody. Positivism This zeros in on studying a part as itself and in relation to the whole, examining isolated portions in order to find a law or to draw a conclusion that is arbitrary universally. In relation to health, practitioners in the medical field are likely to relate within context up to a certain degree but are inclined to the physical terms, like seeing how express and gauge pain can vary by age, sex, or race in the social context (Alderson, P., 1998). There is still emphasis on separate parts, as separate factors, preferably than the implication of all the parts and the whole being connected. Positivism has to do with cause and effect, for example the pain caused by a wound is likely to draw the response as a predictable reaction rather than one that is personal through choice and motive. This can help to predict the choices of individuals. It can help in treatment in the medical area since the individual is dealt with rather than the context of illness. Social Construction This works contrary to positivism thinking that there is no single or universal point of view or truth. Different views can be valid in a number of ways that may not all be the same. Rather than being treated as agreed facts, phenomena are seen as more like part of something that can be affected by varied factors. Evidence is constructed through experience, and those who observe unavoidably take part in this processwhether they try to take a superficial or a profound view. Perspective cannot be neutral or objective; In this case from whatever the reason the pain starts the observer’s responses and personal. The denotations of pain and disease which can be multi faceted are viewed as problems or questions rather than as givens or facts. Health workers now take on a role as a person from the outside asking questions as opposed to an insider who is familiarized. Within the bounds of social construction there is an existing interaction between medical or health practitioners and patients. Words, gestures, signals both spoken and unspoken regarding health can influence and help in the language and behavior of medical and health workers which in turn affect responses of patients (Alderson, P. 1998). Post Modernism In this theory limits are removed or taken down. The approach to what truth is and what can be considered as knowledge and what can determine the legitimacy or value of something is doubtful. This flow of thinking can be essential in clarifying uncertainties in the field of health. Concepts such as masculinity and whiteness are examined to shed light on opposites and shared characteristics (Pfeiffer, n.d.). Relationships between the mind and body which are supposedly mysterious are taken into consideration. Listening to different points even those that do no coincide with the usual or what can be considered deviant help practitioners to give care which can be considered as empathic (Hodgkin, 1998). Critical Theory Critical theory does not perceive society as an organism that functions well but rather it perceives society as an anthology of numerous divisions that are constantly in a race for power and resources. Medical and health workers are seen partly as representatives of social control with trustworthiness that are accompanied with them. Take for example, they determine who is qualified for treatments for pain, or for illness benefits. Contrary to viewing deviants as minorities of outsiders, critical theorists reflect how groups of big numbers are made insufficient or disabled by situations, such as poverty rather than because of their own shortcomings. People afflicted with illness and disabilities are esteemed because of the valuable knowledge they give uniquely attained in the course of hardships. By bridging the thought that professional and lay knowledge or able and disabled groups work separately with out interchange, critical theory borders on postmodernism (Kaunas University of Medicine, 2007); however, postmodernism does not disclose its revolutionary principles. Drawing a distinction on the emphasis beforehand on the approaches on caring for people who have ailments, critical theorists also view how a change in might avert and decrease disease, such as through the reduction of pollution. Conflict Theory Conflict theory concerns itself with the relationship between illness and health and the capitalist social organization. It focuses on how an illness can be classified and treated depending on the economic activity in a society which is capitalist. It bases its assumption on society being comprised of different factions all struggling for an advantage and that inequality is a fundamental aspect of social life making conflict the main cause of social change (Cockerham, 2001) . Health comes in to the picture when the conflict theory associates itself with how it can help in the area of health reform in the contending interests in health care delivery. It can also be important in being a determinant for sources of illness and disabilities in work environments, working-class health, variants in health lifestyles and other such topics. Feminist Theory Oppression of women has always been present in most aspects of women’s lives including health. Feminist theory focuses itself on the gendered nature of defining illnesses and treating patients. Its primary concern is how is the process in which medical treatment necessitates male control over a woman’s body and identity (Kaunas University of Medicine, 2007). Social and cultural suppositions are maintained to manipulate our pictures of the body, just like making use of the use of the male body as the accepted standard for medical training or the method in which women’s diseases are socially constructed. Generations has no doubt affected even the area of health and medicine allowing for an incorporation of gender in research and other areas giving rise to both significant and important changes. Symbolic interaction How we interact in society, how we understand each other, what the determinants of our social interactions are, these are but a few of the things that fall under the umbrella of the symbolic interaction social theory. This theory of modern sociology and social psychology concerns itself in the analysis of the interactions among different role players in the health area (Kaunas University of Medicine, 2007). The emphasis is on how illness and the personal experience of illness are built through the doctor-patient participation. This has been used extensively in the area of study of the population health and the understanding of the human health behavior. Conclusion: Through these theories people in the field of medicine and health are able to explore new ways of understanding the mystery of the human body and its afflictions. Different approaches could not have simply come about themselves theories about people, interactions have played a vital role in developing these. Of course every approach has its strengths and limitations; the positivist approach, for example, is effective in diagnosing and treating diseases such angina (Alderson, 1998). On the other hand, within the context of social construction and critical theory, research and practice can look more widely at how angina is intensified, occurs, understood, controlled, and, in the longer run, prevented. More attention can be turned to the medical field through the social theories that we have. Despite these being two separate fields in themselves, they are able to work harmoniously to bring together both fields resulting in better health care. References Alderson, P. 1998. Theories in health care and research. Retrieved 3 October 2007, from http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/317/7164/1007 Cockerham, CW., 2001. Medical Sociology. New York: Prentice Hall Hodgkin, P., 1996. Medicine, postmodernism, and the end of certainty. BMJ Kaunas University of Medicine, 2007. Peculiarities of medical sociology: application of social theories in analyzing health and medicine. 43(2) Retrieved 3 October 2007 from http://medicina.kmu.lt/0702/0702-04e.pdf Parsons, T., 1951. The Social System. Glencoe, IL: Free Press Pfeiffer, N.,  n.d. Theories of race, ethnicity, and culture. BMJ. Scambler, G., 2001. Sociology as Applied to Medicine. London: W.B. Saunders Company, Ltd. Read More