Psychology 2035A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Sick Role
20 May 2020
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＊reactions to illness
➢ The decision to seek treatment
Symptom is a matter of individual interpretation.
People are most likely to seek treatment for an illness if:
The symptoms are unfamiliar.
The symptoms appear to be serious, last longer than expected, or disrupt
work and social activities.
They are of higher Socioeconomic groups or female.
Family and friends view symptoms as serious and encourage them to get
treatment.
1. Summarize evidence on patterns of treatment-seeking behavior including
the appeal of the “sick role.”
➢ The process of seeking treatment has three stages:
First, We must decide that our physical sensations are symptoms of illness.
Second, We must decide that our symptoms warrant medical care.
Third, We have to actually arrange for medical care (make an appointment,
prepare to pay, etc.).
➢ The sick role
Some people almost seem to enjoy being sick. They have learned that the
“sick role” is associated with benefits:
