HEALTH CARE

Health Care

Health Care

How does each theory apply to the selected sociological institution?

Sociology, the study of society; has been adapted by many sociologists so as to put across their own theories. The most important Sociologists of the early 19th century were Emile Durkeim, Karl Marx and Max Weber; a common factor with all these men is that they were all influenced by the world in which they lived.

The Functionalist sees society as built up and working like the human body, made up of interrelated parts, which function for or contribute to the maintenance of society as a whole. (Cited: Browne.K. 'Introducing Sociology', 2002). Functionalists are concerned with how the different parts of society contribute towards the whole. All members of society are imposed with common values and norms. Marxism sees the overall structure of society primarily determined or influenced by the economic system, the means of production, such as the land, factories and offices necessary to produce societies goods. (Cited; Browne.K 'Introducing Sociology' 2002) This approach rejects the idea of society as a consensus but instead sees it based on the constant changing outcomes of health cares between different groups. This type of approach is known as 'health care theory'. Symbolic Interactionism is a health care action perspective, particularly concerned with understanding human health care in face-to-face situations.

What are the similarities? What are the differences?

In addition, how individuals and situations come to be defined or classified in particular ways. This is known as labelling, it is also concerned with the consequences for individual health care of such definitions, since people will behave according to the way they see situations. (Cited: Browne.K 'Introducing Sociology'2002.)

Functionalism emerged in the 19th Century in response to a Crisis in health care order due to Industrialisation and the loss of communities and also the growth of conservative sociology (August Compt 1798-1857).

Functionalists believe in the consensus theory. This sees society as having needs, which have to be met in order to survive, and also that if something serves no purpose at all, it would cease to exist, (Sociology in perspective for OCR pg36) and these are called functional requirements. Different parts of society must satisfy these needs. Health care order has been examined via the study of whole societies not just the individuals. Functionalists see society as a system, a set of parts that work together to make a whole. French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) famous for his study of suicide and analysis of crime used the human body in order to explain that as human organs work together to ensure good health, the various structures of society (Education, Family, Politics etc) work together to maintain health care order (Organic Analogy).

How does each theory affect the views of the individual who is part of the institution?

This theory believes in the smooth running and well-oiled system but health care and disorder are inevitable, however, it is seen as a merely temporary disturbance rather than an in-built aspect of society. They believe that although individuals may have differences in ...