Major Theoretical Perspectives in Health Sociology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts associated with the theoretical perspectives in health sociology.

Structural Functionalism

A theoretical perspective that focuses on the way social structures function and support one another to maintain social order and stability.

Sick Role

Parsons' concept describing the social expectations of how sick individuals are expected to behave and how society is meant to treat them.

Marxism

A conflict theory rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx, focusing on class conflict and the societal impacts of capitalism.

Biomedical Model

A conventional model emphasizing biological factors in health, often criticized for neglecting social determinants.

Value Consensus

A shared agreement among members of a society about what is important or valuable.

Agency

The capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices within social constraints.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective focusing on the meanings individuals derive from social interactions and symbols.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine, creating unique modes of discrimination or privilege.

Post-Structuralism/Postmodernism

A theoretical approach that critiques established structures and ideologies, emphasizing diversity and subjectivity.

Critical Race Theory

A transdisciplinary approach that examines the relationship between race, racism, and power in society.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and practices of their society.

Commodification of Healthcare

The treatment of healthcare as a commodity to be bought and sold, rather than a service to meet health needs.

Discourse

Any practice that communicates reality, shaping how people interpret and understand social conditions.

Bureaucracy

A form of organization characterized by complexity, division of labor, permanence, and hierarchical authority.

Surveillance

The monitoring of individuals or populations, often leading to self-regulation based on the awareness of being observed.

Emotional Labour

The management of feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job, particularly in healthcare settings.

Negotiated Order

A conceptual framework for understanding how meaning is created and maintained in organizations.

Grounded Theory

A methodology in qualitative research where theory is developed based on the systematic gathering and analysis of data.

Participatory Action Research

An approach to research that emphasizes collaboration with communities to address issues and empower participants.

Medicalization

The process by which non-medical problems are defined and treated as medical issues.

Total Institutions

Institutions where individuals are isolated from broader society, with life regulated and controlled in a comprehensive manner.

Cultural Determinism

The belief that cultural factors predominantly shape human behavior and societal structures.