intro to sociology & medical sociology

Question 1

sociology

Answer 1

the scientific study of social behavior in context and the relationship between society and human action

Question 2

sociology is the study of

Answer 2

• individuals
• groups
• societies

Question 3

sociological imagination

Answer 3

a way of thinking about the social world
- approaching phenomena as new by making questions in order to see them from many angles and understand them in relation to the wider society

Question 4

social institutions

Answer 4

create social roles and expectations, guide human behavior

Question 5

what links individuals, groups, and societies

Answer 5

socialization - the process of learning values and norms in a society

Question 6

medical sociology studies the social aspects of health and illness and focuses on 3 aspects

Answer 6

1. disease as a social experience
2. social and cultural values shape people’s behavior and health behavior
3. health could be influenced by social forces

Question 7

disease as a social experience

Answer 7

when the patient’s social life changes as a result of the disease

(the disease becomes part of their social life)

Question 8

social and cultural values shape people’s behavior and health behavior

Answer 8

when a patient’s cultural beliefs influences their health behavior

ex: a woman refusing to take meds because she believes only prayer can help her

Question 9

social forces influence health

Answer 9

a low socio-economic background is associated with ill health and high mortality

• this is attributed to access to resources and behavior

Question 10

how could medical sociology (such as taking patient’s history) useful for medical practitioners

Answer 10

• the more you know about the patient’s social environment, the more you understand their condition
• the more info you know, the more you empathize

Question 11

empathy

Answer 11

to show understanding of your patient’s feelings and perspectives