HSS 3103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Erving Goffman, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sick Role
20 Sep 2017
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A theory is a statement that purports to account for or characterize some phenomenon. The function of a theory is to describe, explain, or predict limited properties of reality. A scienti c theory is a synthesis of well-tested and veri ed hypothesis about come aspect of the world around us. A model is often used in order to understand a particular set of phenomena. A model is a mental image of the phenomena using terms (or images) with which we are familiar. Ie. the planetary model of the atom: useful in understanding the atom, but it is an over- simpli ed description of a real atom and does not describe/predict all of its attributes. Theories of the experience of illness and disability: the medical model. Illness is caused by bacteria, genes, virus, or accident, not spirits or curse. Illnesses can be identi ed and classi ed into different types such as diseases of the nervous system, circulatory system, etc.
