Midterm Flashcards
Sociology as a definition
The systematic study of social life, social changes, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour
Sociological Imagination
A concept by C.W Mills that enables individuals to grasp the connection between personal experiences and larger social forces
Scientific Method
A systematic approach used in sociology to ensure that research is verifiable and falsifiable
Critical Thinking
The process of questioning common sense and maintaining a critical distance in sociological inquiry
Social Capital
The networks of relationships among people in a society that enables society to function effectively
Biophysical Approach
A model that considers biological, psychological and social factors in understanding health and illness
Health Inequalities
disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare among different population groups
Social Integration
The process of integrating individuals into a society which can impact the mental health and well-being
Structure and Agency
A sociological concept that examines how social structures influence individual actions and vice versa
Epidemiological Transition
The shift in the patterns of mortality from infectious diseases to chronic illnesses as societies develop
Social Gradient in Health
The concept that health outcomes improve as socioeconomic status increases
Health literacy
the ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed health decisions
Social Change
The transformation of culture, behaviour, social institutions, and social structure over time
Health institutions
Organizations that provide healthcare services and contribute to the health of populations
Stigma
The social disapproval or discrimination against individuals based on characteristics such as health status, disability or behaviour
Solidarity
A social bond that connects individuals through shared goals and responsibilities
Social Regulation
The ways in which society regulates individual behaviour through norms and laws
Institutional Structures
The established laws, practices, and organizations that shape social behaviour and interactions
Relational Structures
The social networks and relationships that influence individual behaviour and societal functioning
T. Parsons concept of Sick Role
Sociologist known for the concept of ‘sick role’ introduced in 1951 which describes the social expectations of individuals who are ill
E. Goffmans Concept of Stigma
focuses on how society labels and treats individuals with certain characteristics
H. Beckers Boys in White
a study examining the socialization of medical students and the medical profession
M. Foucalts work on the power
explores the relationship between power and knowledge, particularly in the context of health and medicine
P. Bourdieus work on lifestyle
emphasizes the role of social capital in health
Idealist definition of health
A broad, philosophical understanding of health that includes mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions, often viewed as a state of balance or harmony
Functional definition of health
A practical approach to health that emphasizes the ability to function and adapt in daily life, focusing on social and environmental determinants
Medical model
an approach that focuses on individual treatment and the biological aspects of disease, often criticized for neglecting social factors
Social model
an approach that emphasizes societal factors, collective responsibility, and the impact of social conditions on health and illness
Medicalization
the process by which non-medical issues become defined and treated as medical issues, leading to stigmatization
Miasma Theory
belief that diseases were caused by ‘bad air’ or miasmas, leading to public health measures focused on improving sanitation and air quality
Germ Theory
a theory developed in the late 19th century that established the role of microorganisms in causing disease, leading to advancements in hygiene and public health
Mckeown Thesis
suggests that living improvements rather than medical interventions were primarily responsible for increased life expectancy and decreased infectious diseases in the 19th/20th century
Chronic Illness
Long-term health conditions that often require ongoing managements and are not fully addressed by the medical model
Health Inequality
Disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare services based on social, economic, and environmental factors
Holistic Health purpose
an approach to health that considers the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being
Preventative Medicine purpose
A branch of medicine focused primarily on preventing disease and promoting health through lifestyle changes, vaccinations, and public health initiatives
Health Policy purpose
decisions and actions taken by governments and organizations to improve health outcomes and address health disparities within populations
Social Determinants of Health
the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect their health and well-being
Chronic Disease
a long lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured, such as arthritis or diabetes
Preventative medicine
medical practices aimed at preventing diseases rather than treating them after they occur
Public health
the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities
Institutionalization
embedding something within an organization or culture often referring to the establishment of health care systems and practices
Mortality rate
measure of the number of deaths in a given population to assess the impact of diseases
Life expectancy
the average period a person may expect to live
Infectious disease
diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can be transmitted to one another
Endemic meaning
disease or condition regularly found and consistently present in a particular geographic area or population
Pandemic
outbreak of a disease that occurs on a global scale affecting a large number of people
Social Cohesion
the bonds that bring society together promoting trust and cooperation among individuals and groups
Socio-historical Context
social circumstances that shape the understanding and response to health crises
Social inequality
unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different social groups, often impacting health outcomes
Toxic masculinity
Cultural norms that define masculinity in terms of dominance, aggression, and emotional suppression, often leading to negative social outcomes
Scapegoating
The act of blaming an individual or group for problems or negative outcomes, often without justification
Stigmatization
the process of labelling individuals or groups as socially undesirable, leading to discrimination and social exclusion
Misinformation
false or misleading information that is spread without the intent to cause harm
Disinformation
false information that is deliberately spread with the intent to deceive or cause harm
Fragility of social bonds
the vulnerability of relationships and social connections, especially during crises or periods of uncertainty
Post Truth Society
significant part of the population disregards factual evidence in favour of emotional appeals
Evidence-based interventions
Strategies and practices that are grounded in scientific research and data to effectively address health issues
Status Syndrome
the psychological experience of inequality, where individuals perceptions of their social status impact their health and well being
Cumulative advantages and disadvantages
the concept that individuals accumulate benefits or burdens over time, affecting their health and social outcomes
Health lifestyle paradigm
a framework that examines how social class and socialization influence health behaviours and lifestyle choices
The black report
assesses the health of the of the population, highlighting statistical issues, natural selection arguments, lifestyle explanations, and material conditions
Whitehall Studies
civil servants in the UK demonstrating a social gradient in health, showing that job position and pay affect mortality rate
Chronic Stress
a significant factor impacting health, particularly for those at the lower end of the hierarchy
Lifestyle explanations
the idea that health disparities are primarily due to individual lifestyle choices rather than structural factors
Reward system
a mechanism that acknowledges and compensates for their work, crucial for preventing burnout
Law of Diminishing Returns
A principle stating that after a certain point investment in a particular area yields progressively
Hypothalamus
a brain region that plays a crucial role in the stress response and regulation of hormones, including cortisol
Social hierarchy
the organization of individuals into a ranked order based on factors like wealth, education, and occupation that impact health and stress levels
What is a state of mind
this enables us to grasp the connection between history and biography and the relations between the two within society
Difference between the medical and social model
both models exist together but may not work together; Medical (doctors, care model)
Social (preventative, social)
What did Rene Descartes do
he created the scientific method, this was the physical and material body separate from the mind
Notion of citizenship meaning
member of nation that have rights and responsibilities which follow the rules in exchange for being protected
Misinformation vs. Distrust
misinformation is not intended to cause harm through false info, disinformation is consciously wanting to cause harm with false info
How does economic and social policy affect socioeconomic gradient
Income distribution, access to education, access to healthcare, housing access
Scarcity meaning
resource is in high demand
Rarity meaning
resource is limited and hard to find
What is significant about health and illness
this is a type of poverty or choice you have in life, if you are rich it is a choice if you are poor it is poverty
