SOC212H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Erving Goffman, Social System, Depersonalization
Document Summary
What we understand to be the cause of a problem affects many things. Reactions are most effective when accurately identifying the cause. General definition: the framing of a problem or situation so that it is understood to some degree as the result of a medical condition. Sociological definition: the framing of a social problem so that it is understood and reacted to as though it is a medical issue. Mental illness was traditionally a problem of family and church. Huge increase in late 1800s after the enlightenment: big shift in considering people as a kind of product of their environment, people"s action as part of their free will; if broken - cant be trusted scientifically speaking. Consistent rise in commitment until the 1960. Problem of overcrowding in the 1950s and 1960s. Large numbers of patient were released in a very short amount of time. (parkdale is a good example) Researchers like goffman and rosenhan played a big part.
