SOC 2101 Lecture Notes - Ivan Illich, Iatrogenesis, Hypochondriasis

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2101
• Professor: Kristen Tole

Document Summary

Part of sociological investigation, you don"t have a project unless you have a theory: operates as a series of statements or generalizations that explain the social world or conceptual relationships. Causal statements (if x then often y) Integration of individual actions oriented to norms and values. Cultural patterns influence normative conceptions of medical knowledge and practice. He wants to view illness through lens of culture. Disease involves bodily (and social) dysfunction bodily dysfunction leads to social dysfunction if you let it go too long. Being sick (identified and accepted as ill) is a role governed by social expectations. Analysis of the motivational factors: medical profession says we are health by; blood pressure, blood tests, height and weight, bmi. Illness as special form of deviance, functional to the social system: they feed off of each other, if no one gets sick there are no doctors no medical system. Patients can be active participants in their care.