Sociology is the study of the way society works and how people interact within it. Sociology consists of many different theories focussing on the way society is shaped and the way people live within their own societies (Van Krieken, 2000). The following essay will focus on two of those theories, Weberianism and Functionalism, and some of the concepts these theories explore. The essay will also explore the way these theories affect the knowledge of health practitioners as well as contemplating the inability for either theory be the perfect fit in terms of a model for health care delivery. In order to do this, the basic concepts of these two theories and the way they view the structure of society will be examined as well as a comparison of some of the ways these theories both agree and differ in the views they propose. Finally, the ways in which these theories affect the knowledge of health practitioner’s will be examined, with particular attention paid to the theories of Rationalization, the Biomedical Model, and the Sick Role. Weberianism is a sociological perspective which focusses on the way an individual’s class and statues affect the society they are a part of, as well as the effects of a bureaucratic and standardized society (Germov, 2014).
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One sociological aspect Weberianism explores is “vulnerable populations”, such as the poor, and the effects that class, status, and unequal distribution of power have on their life chances (Dillon, 2014 as cited by Davis, Birks & Chapman, 2015). The theory of Rationalisation resulted from societies’ departures from a more traditional, religious interpretation of life to a more bureaucratic, rational, and practical interpretation (Germov, 2014; Schofield, 2015). George Ritzer expanded on this theory of Rationalization through the concept of ‘McDonaldization’ through utilising the highly regularised, managerial McDonald’s food chain as a template to show that society is increasingly becoming more rationalised and controlled by society’s fascination with predictability and efficiency (Van Krieken, Smith, Habibis, McDonald, Haralambos & Holborn, 2000). Both Weber and Ritzer both saw the pitfalls of this thinking with both recognising that, although the theory improved rational thought and efficiency, there was the potential for the enormous amount of regulations to supress individuality and creative freedom (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken et al., 2000) Functionalism is another sociological theory with focussing on the dependency social order and stability has on its social structures (Germov, 2014). Functionalism views society as one whole, with many interrelated parts that work together. In this theory society is ruled by statuses, norms, and values that are agreed on in order to create a stable environment and a recognisable pattern by which people should live. It is these patterns which teach people how to behave and relate to the world and deviance from these norms is believed to decrease societal stability (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken et al., 2000). One of theory of Functionalist perspective is that of the ‘sick role’, developed by Talcott Parsons. Parsons (as cited in Germov, 2014) states that to ensure an ordered society, individuals must be healthy enough to perform the roles expected of them by that society. Therefore, if an individual becomes sick it is both their right and their responsibility to take on the ‘sick role’ and seek medical assistance in an attempt to regain health in order to return to their role in society. Through the relationship between doctor and patient, illness becomes a societal experience not just an individual one (Germov, 2014). However, there are limitations of the ‘sick role’ as it is said to be inappropriate by individuals suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities. Additionally, there is a large focus on the biomedical model of treating the symptoms not the social origins of illness (Germov, 2014; Varul, 2010). Certain aspects of these two perspectives are similar in nature, as can be seen in the area of social stratification. In both the Weberianism and the Functionalism theories it is shown that society consists of a series of different status’s and classes (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken, 2000). From a Weberianism perspective these classes and statuses directly affect individuals in society in a negative fashion. For example, Weberian theory notes that an individual that is uneducated is more likely
One sociological aspect Weberianism explores is “vulnerable populations”, such as the poor, and the effects that class, status, and unequal distribution of power have on their life chances (Dillon, 2014 as cited by Davis, Birks & Chapman, 2015). The theory of Rationalisation resulted from societies’ departures from a more traditional, religious interpretation of life to a more bureaucratic, rational, and practical interpretation (Germov, 2014; Schofield, 2015). George Ritzer expanded on this theory of Rationalization through the concept of ‘McDonaldization’ through utilising the highly regularised, managerial McDonald’s food chain as a template to show that society is increasingly becoming more rationalised and controlled by society’s fascination with predictability and efficiency (Van Krieken, Smith, Habibis, McDonald, Haralambos & Holborn, 2000). Both Weber and Ritzer both saw the pitfalls of this thinking with both recognising that, although the theory improved rational thought and efficiency, there was the potential for the enormous amount of regulations to supress individuality and creative freedom (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken et al., 2000) Functionalism is another sociological theory with focussing on the dependency social order and stability has on its social structures (Germov, 2014). Functionalism views society as one whole, with many interrelated parts that work together. In this theory society is ruled by statuses, norms, and values that are agreed on in order to create a stable environment and a recognisable pattern by which people should live. It is these patterns which teach people how to behave and relate to the world and deviance from these norms is believed to decrease societal stability (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken et al., 2000). One of theory of Functionalist perspective is that of the ‘sick role’, developed by Talcott Parsons. Parsons (as cited in Germov, 2014) states that to ensure an ordered society, individuals must be healthy enough to perform the roles expected of them by that society. Therefore, if an individual becomes sick it is both their right and their responsibility to take on the ‘sick role’ and seek medical assistance in an attempt to regain health in order to return to their role in society. Through the relationship between doctor and patient, illness becomes a societal experience not just an individual one (Germov, 2014). However, there are limitations of the ‘sick role’ as it is said to be inappropriate by individuals suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities. Additionally, there is a large focus on the biomedical model of treating the symptoms not the social origins of illness (Germov, 2014; Varul, 2010). Certain aspects of these two perspectives are similar in nature, as can be seen in the area of social stratification. In both the Weberianism and the Functionalism theories it is shown that society consists of a series of different status’s and classes (Germov, 2014; Van Krieken, 2000). From a Weberianism perspective these classes and statuses directly affect individuals in society in a negative fashion. For example, Weberian theory notes that an individual that is uneducated is more likely