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Unit 10 - Sociological Perspectives *DISTINCTION* LEARNING AIM A
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A Understandhowsociologicalconceptsandperspectivesareappliedtothestudyof health and social care
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Unit 10: sociological perspectivesLearning Aim A: Understand how sociological concepts and perspectives are applied to the study of
health and social care
Sociological perspectives
Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. The study focuses on social life,
social changes and causes, and behavioural changes and consequences. The topic matter of
sociology varies, ranging from crime to religion, from family to the state, from racial and social class
separation to shared cultural values, and from social stability to complete change in entire societies.
Sociology's goal is to understand how human actions and consciousness are formed and shaped by
surrounding cultural and social structures by combining these different subjects to research. Norms
in sociology refers to behaviour and attitudes which are considered normal. These norms are rules or
expectations that are socially enforced. They are unwritten rules of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours
that are viewed acceptable in a certain social group or culture. Norms provides people with an
expected way to behave, and function to give order and predictability in society. Whilst values are
those things that people consider important to them. They are culture’s standard for determining
what is good, correct and just in society, especially regarding personal behaviour. In society
everyone belongs to different social groups and has status and a role to fulfil. Status is an individual’s
social position within a group, while a role is the part their society expects them to play in the given
status.
The most importance of sociology is that it studied the society social institution scientifically such as
functionalists. It leads humans into areas of society that might have been ignored or misunderstood.
Since everyone’s view of the world is shaped by personal and social experiences, we all have
different definitions of social reality. Sociology allows humans to acknowledge different perspectives
other than our own to understand how these viewpoints were established.
Class is an individual’s or group’s role within the social hierarchy, it is often based on power,
prestige, and wealth. Social stratification highlights the fact that some groups of people have a
higher status than other groups. It can be link to a person’s occupation, for example non manual jobs
such as doctors or businessmen are MC whereas, people who work manual jobs such as electricians
or cleaners are known as WC. In society manual workers earn less money than non-manual workers
and are more likely to smoke and suffer from serious conditions such as lung cancer which could
lead to death. People with a higher status are often wealthier and have easier access to the
possessions and way of life most valued in that society. They are also able to receive a better
standard of care, the Guardian believes that class makes a difference as the two most affluent social
groups receive 10 minutes of doctor time in G.P. surgery, whereas those from other 5 groups
averaged just over 8 minutes. Almost all societies have some form of stratification.
In sociology, age stratification is defined as the hierarchical ranking of people into age groups within
a society. Today both old and young people are seen and treated as relatively incompetent and
excluded from much social life. This is because children are economically dependent on their
caregiver and have legal restriction and older people are likely to be lonely and isolated themselves
due to living alone, loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. However, there are
some traditional societies in China and some part of Africa where older people are accorded with a
higher status. Age stratification based on an ascribed status is a major source inequality ageism.
Ageism is known as a negative stereotype against older people causing discrimination, segregation,
and disregard. It is less known but highly tolerated today than any other forms of discrimination like
racism or sexism, but it is quite common, and its effects can be severe. “Age stratification exists
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