Medical Sociology

Outline some theorists work and their influences in the development of medical sociology.

In developing his concept of the sick role, Parsons linked his ideas to those of the two most important classical theorists in sociology: Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) of France and Max Weber (1864-1920) of Germany. Parsons was the first to demonstrate the controlling function of medicine in a large social system, and he did so in the context of classical sociological theory.

Theories relating to health and illness.

Talcott Parsons sick role: behavior and obligations expected from a sick person -is exempted from normal social role responsibilities -cannot get well by an act of decision or will -is obligated to get well and seek help ~illness is the deviance and its undesirable nature reinforces the motivation to be healthy

medical sociology

The study of social causes and consequences of health and illness. Brings sociological perspectives, theories, and methods to the study of health, illness, medical practice, and policy.

How and when the discipline of medical sociology developed/gain strength?

The term medical sociology first appeared in 1894 Medical sociology did not begin in earnest until after World War II, in the late 1940s, when significant amounts of federal funding for sociomedical research first became available. A circumstance that particularly affected medical sociology in its early development was the pressure to produce work that can be applied to medical practice and the formulation of health policy.