SOC 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Talcott Parsons, Sick Role, Medical Sociology

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1101
• Professor: Adolphine Y.Aggor- Boateng

Document Summary

Medical sociology is based on the view that medical practices and beliefs are intensely social. Seeks to generate sociological data to develop health care policies. Seeks improve delivery of health care through sociologically informed research. Critical examination of the practices of pharmaceutical companies, medical schools, and health care providers. Race, gender, ethnicity, age, and class can greatly affect an individual"s experience of medical professions. Talcott parsons introduced the concept of the sick (or patient) role in his book the social system (1951) Being sick is a social role that role comes with a set of expectations. Regulates what a sick person can expect from society. Regulates what society should expect of the sick person. Four expectations of the sick (or patient) role. Should be taken care of instead of having to take care of themselves. Are socially obligated to try to get well. Are socially obligated to seek technically competent help.