1
,Contents page – page 2
Foreword – page 3
What makes up society – page 4
Functionalism – page 5
Functionalism strengths and weaknesses - page 6
Functionalism link to health and social care -page 8
The sick role -page 11
Marxism -page 12
Marxism strengths and weaknesses -page 15
Marxism link to health and social care -page 16
Feminism -page 19
Feminism strengths and weaknesses -page 20
Feminism link to health and social care -page 22
Social action theory -page 24
Social action theory strengths and weaknesses -page 26
Social action theory link to health and social care -page 28
Postmodernism -page 30
Postmodernism strengths and weaknesses -page 31
Postmodernism link to health and social care -page 33
What is health, ill health and disability -page 34
Concepts of health -page 35
The biomedical model -page 37
The social model -page 41
The medical model vs the social model -page 43
Clinical iceberg -page 45
Conclusion -page 46
References -page 57
2
,Foreword
This report will explain the five distinct sociological perspectives, their strengths and
weaknesses and how they link to health and social care. It will also include the biomedical
and social model to give depth to our understanding of society. It will go into detail about
various social and biological constructs, the concepts of health, ill health and disability.
Sociological perspective is the understanding of human behaviour by placing it within its
broader social context. This means that our social backgrounds influence our attitudes,
behaviour and life chances e.g., the chances of committing an individual act such as suicide
depend to some degree on the background that we come from. A theoretical perspective is a
set of assumptions or rules that are considered true, in this case it’s about the workings of
society. Each perspective provides a different viewpoint on human social behaviour and can
help look for connections between the behaviour of an individual and the structure of society
in which they live.
Macro sociology is the large-scale structural approach to studying society. It explores how
society shapes individuals. Examples of macro sociology are functionalism, Marxism and
feminism. Micro sociology is a smaller scale approach to studying sociology, it is about how
individuals shape society through their own interactions. An example of this is the post-
modern theory.
A conflict theory suggests the culture of a society is controlled by powerful groups rather
than the majority therefore creating conflict in society. Examples of these are Marxism and
feminism.
A consensus theory suggests the culture of a society is agreed between the members who
want to keep it that way. An example of this is functionalism.
The five sociological perspectives I will be speaking about are:
Functionalism, Marxism, feminism, social action theory and postmodernism.
3
, What makes up society
Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships. That normally
starts with the family you are born into, branching out into extended family, friends,
neighbours, partners, colleagues etc. Types of family structure include: blended family,
single parent family, foster family, nuclear family, reconstituted (step) family, extended family,
same sex family, married family, childless family, male breadwinner, matriarchal family
(female), assisted technologies (surrogate). Socialisation begins within the family setting as
the child learns how to interact with others before moving into the wider world. It is essential
learning for participation in human society.
Each person has an individual perspective of their world based on their observations and
experiences. But society is made up of more than just individuals. Culture is the shared
knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, custom and any other capabilities and habits you
acquire as a member of a society. Cultural integration is important in any modern-day
society, it allows diverse people to be interconnected, mutually supportive and integrated as
a stronger whole. It can help bring an understanding of the world, human existence and
commonly held beliefs.
People in society can live opposite lives without knowing much about the others'. Social
location is the area of life that people occupy, including race, sex, occupation, social class
and religion or geographical area. These can shape our ideas of who we are, where we fit in
and the roles we think we should perform in our lives and make us who we are. On the other
hand, social marginality is when an individual is excluded from social activity. These people
on the sidelines of society are aware of social patterns that others might not necessarily
think about and experience life differently.
Social systems are an interdependent network of social institutions that shape our lives, e.g.
school, government, family. These systems contribute to the stability of society and keeping
the equilibrium. It is expected that children are brought up within a family and attend school
until a certain age, thereby later becoming useful adults in the job market. The system is
upheld by Law. Other societies, organisations, institutions and groups form over time and
perform social functions that keep society and the country running. e.g. the armed forces or
police.
Roles give an individual duties and rights to perform certain tasks in society. A role makes it
easier to describe what the person does and is responsible for, e.g it is a headmaster's role
to manage a school and employ trained teachers. Parents and doctors have a clear role in
society and people learn what to expect. Clear roles help human beings to use their skills to
trade or help each other which is a main reason for having a society.
A society also has a set of values and beliefs, norms and morals. Those who buy into them
feel included as valued members of that society which in turn dictates and normalises their
behaviour. Values come with rules that must not be broken, to keep peace and prevent
anarchy. Values and beliefs can vary between countries and cultures and help identify those
with similar beliefs. Different values can lead to conflict, such as war. Shared values and
beliefs can be found in very different societies, and basic human values can be found the
World over.
4
,Contents page – page 2
Foreword – page 3
What makes up society – page 4
Functionalism – page 5
Functionalism strengths and weaknesses - page 6
Functionalism link to health and social care -page 8
The sick role -page 11
Marxism -page 12
Marxism strengths and weaknesses -page 15
Marxism link to health and social care -page 16
Feminism -page 19
Feminism strengths and weaknesses -page 20
Feminism link to health and social care -page 22
Social action theory -page 24
Social action theory strengths and weaknesses -page 26
Social action theory link to health and social care -page 28
Postmodernism -page 30
Postmodernism strengths and weaknesses -page 31
Postmodernism link to health and social care -page 33
What is health, ill health and disability -page 34
Concepts of health -page 35
The biomedical model -page 37
The social model -page 41
The medical model vs the social model -page 43
Clinical iceberg -page 45
Conclusion -page 46
References -page 57
2
,Foreword
This report will explain the five distinct sociological perspectives, their strengths and
weaknesses and how they link to health and social care. It will also include the biomedical
and social model to give depth to our understanding of society. It will go into detail about
various social and biological constructs, the concepts of health, ill health and disability.
Sociological perspective is the understanding of human behaviour by placing it within its
broader social context. This means that our social backgrounds influence our attitudes,
behaviour and life chances e.g., the chances of committing an individual act such as suicide
depend to some degree on the background that we come from. A theoretical perspective is a
set of assumptions or rules that are considered true, in this case it’s about the workings of
society. Each perspective provides a different viewpoint on human social behaviour and can
help look for connections between the behaviour of an individual and the structure of society
in which they live.
Macro sociology is the large-scale structural approach to studying society. It explores how
society shapes individuals. Examples of macro sociology are functionalism, Marxism and
feminism. Micro sociology is a smaller scale approach to studying sociology, it is about how
individuals shape society through their own interactions. An example of this is the post-
modern theory.
A conflict theory suggests the culture of a society is controlled by powerful groups rather
than the majority therefore creating conflict in society. Examples of these are Marxism and
feminism.
A consensus theory suggests the culture of a society is agreed between the members who
want to keep it that way. An example of this is functionalism.
The five sociological perspectives I will be speaking about are:
Functionalism, Marxism, feminism, social action theory and postmodernism.
3
, What makes up society
Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships. That normally
starts with the family you are born into, branching out into extended family, friends,
neighbours, partners, colleagues etc. Types of family structure include: blended family,
single parent family, foster family, nuclear family, reconstituted (step) family, extended family,
same sex family, married family, childless family, male breadwinner, matriarchal family
(female), assisted technologies (surrogate). Socialisation begins within the family setting as
the child learns how to interact with others before moving into the wider world. It is essential
learning for participation in human society.
Each person has an individual perspective of their world based on their observations and
experiences. But society is made up of more than just individuals. Culture is the shared
knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, custom and any other capabilities and habits you
acquire as a member of a society. Cultural integration is important in any modern-day
society, it allows diverse people to be interconnected, mutually supportive and integrated as
a stronger whole. It can help bring an understanding of the world, human existence and
commonly held beliefs.
People in society can live opposite lives without knowing much about the others'. Social
location is the area of life that people occupy, including race, sex, occupation, social class
and religion or geographical area. These can shape our ideas of who we are, where we fit in
and the roles we think we should perform in our lives and make us who we are. On the other
hand, social marginality is when an individual is excluded from social activity. These people
on the sidelines of society are aware of social patterns that others might not necessarily
think about and experience life differently.
Social systems are an interdependent network of social institutions that shape our lives, e.g.
school, government, family. These systems contribute to the stability of society and keeping
the equilibrium. It is expected that children are brought up within a family and attend school
until a certain age, thereby later becoming useful adults in the job market. The system is
upheld by Law. Other societies, organisations, institutions and groups form over time and
perform social functions that keep society and the country running. e.g. the armed forces or
police.
Roles give an individual duties and rights to perform certain tasks in society. A role makes it
easier to describe what the person does and is responsible for, e.g it is a headmaster's role
to manage a school and employ trained teachers. Parents and doctors have a clear role in
society and people learn what to expect. Clear roles help human beings to use their skills to
trade or help each other which is a main reason for having a society.
A society also has a set of values and beliefs, norms and morals. Those who buy into them
feel included as valued members of that society which in turn dictates and normalises their
behaviour. Values come with rules that must not be broken, to keep peace and prevent
anarchy. Values and beliefs can vary between countries and cultures and help identify those
with similar beliefs. Different values can lead to conflict, such as war. Shared values and
beliefs can be found in very different societies, and basic human values can be found the
World over.
4
