Parsons and the sick role Flashcards
What did Facism and Nazism warn?
Warned of dark age for civilisation, work and was politically motivated
What was Parsons initial work a response to?
The inability of classical utilitarian liberalism to deal with the social, political and economic crises of the time
What did Parsons take from Durkheim?
Social integration is organised around a core of common norms and values
What is functionalism?
Societies are wholes, a collection of interrelated parts. Each part has a meaning in relation to the whole, performing a function within the system
What is Parsons analysis of a social system?
AGIL - Adaption, Goal, Integration, Latency
What is adaption?
The way in which the system adapts to its environment - modifying or controlling it
What is goal attainment?
The way in which a system methodologically mobilises resources to pursue certain goals
What is integration?
The way in which the system ensures solidarity - the maintenance of a cohesive whole
What is Latency?
The way in which the system maintains its values and belief systems
What are the critiques of functionalism?
Emphasis on consensus that there is unequal distribution of power. Underestimates the amount of conflict in Western society
What are the 3 normative elements of the sick role?
- Exemption from personal responsibility for illness 2. permission to withdraw from many duties and commitments 3. Obligation to seek medical help and become ‘patient’
Criticisms of the sick role?
- neglects an analysis of the differences in power between the dr and patient 2. does not consider the multiple sources of conflict between dr and patient 3. is an idealised model that does not match actually existing illness behaviour 4. where does disability fit into the thesis?
