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Sociological approach
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p1 p2 m1 perspectives
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Unit 7: Sociological Perspectives for Health and Social CareAssignment 1
Sociological Approach
In this assignment I will be explaining the principal sociological perspectives these are the
theories of different theorists as well as what are the criticism. This will be providing
evidence for p1. For evidence of p2 I will be explaining different sociological approaches to
explain health and ill health. Another thing that I will be assessing the biomedical as well as
the socio-medical models for health and ill health within this I will be explaining the
difference between them.
P1: Explain the principal sociological perspectives
In this part of the essay I will be explaining about the following sociological perspectives:
Structural Conflict also known as the Marxist Theory
Structural Consensus also known as Functional Perspective
Social Actions Theory commonly known as Interactional Theory
Feminist Theory which breaks down to the Marxist Feminist, Liberal Feminist and
Radical Feminist.
Collectivist Theory
New Right Theory
Post Modest Theory
Marxist Theory or Structural Conflict
This theory was founded by a theorist call Karl Marx who was a German theorist, who
believed that there were two social classes which were called the Bourgeoisie, these people
own properties, factories, land, machinery and tools, this class is the “ruling class” . The
other class which Marx believed in was the Proletariat which are the “working class”, these
people only have labour to sell in return for a wage. Marx uses the term “Social Relations of
production” meaning that the relations between individuals within the production process
are split into three sections which are the capitalists which have the workers, the Feudal
Lord in which have servants or the peasants and the master has the slaves. The Marxist
theory believes that the proletariats are being exploited by the bourgeoisie this is because
that class only have their labour to sell in order to get a wage which means that they are
easily able to be exploited. Another thing that Marx believed in was the superstructure,
Marx argued that the bourgeoisie class also holds power in other institutions such as the
mass media, law, education, politics and religion these were called the superstructure. Marx
Stephanie Joyce Group 1
, Unit 7: Sociological Perspectives for Health and Social Care
Assignment 1
also believed that the bourgeoisie also has control of infrastructure for example of
economic base infrastructure. Marxist theory says about the false consciousness, which is
the view that the people who are working within the working class are unaware of tem
being exploited as they don’t realise that by them working hard serves the interest of the
capitalist more than it benefits themselves.
Marxist sees family to provide a secure emotional base, home, form where the people
within the household feel rested and refreshed. Where the men are the primary
breadwinners and the women of the household are domestic primary carers. Within this
theory it says that the family capitalist system, on the Proletariat is that the children within
this class are brought up in a household of Proletariats are prepared for routines as well as
disciplines them for the world of work. The children in this class are told to be obedient to
their bosses at their workplace. Family serve the capitalist to pass on inheritance as well as
maintain inequality between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Family is seen to be
necessary to be able to pass on inheritance to the heir of the family.
The criticism of the Marxist theory is that it believes that our behaviour is influenced by an
economic system and we have little “free will” to have control on our own destiny. It
believes that the capitalist benefit the Bourgeoisie however the standard of living has now
improved for the working class people.
Structural Functionist or also known as Consensus Theory
The theorist that founded this theory was called Emile Dur Kheim, he believed that #people
generally have shared norms and values with society. Everyone within society has shared
norms and functions if you don’t obey those boundaries of society then that particular
individual is dysfunctional- meaning that they are deviant or criminal, in society we have
moral guidance which is to know is expectable and what is un-expectable. Most people will
adapt to normal behaviour which is functional and whatever behaviour is seen as to be
dysfunctional, as a result of that behaviour there will be social sanctions for that particular
individual. This theory believes that to get a life that an individual wants they need to be
able to work hard, functionalists believe that people who get on with their life the best life
within society. Functionalists wit this theory believe that education can be functional this is
because it builds up the knowledge of that particular individual, as well as it does the
Stephanie Joyce Group 1
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