Sociology 2246A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Human Behaviour, Human Conditions, Public Administration
18 Oct 2016
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Illness exists bc our society has defined it as existing. Illness is a subjective category bc what is labeled illness is not always recognized as such. & may be argued by some social groups: 2 examples: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (pmdd) is a mood disorder & has been added to dsm 5 & ppl say there is no scientific evidence for the disorder. Shyness can be considered a mental disorder too. Some groups have more power than others to define what is illness & who is ill. Doctors have a lot of power in deciding what is & what isn"t illness: Medicine exerts social control through its power to define what is illness & through its authority over patients: to assign them to the sick role. Is the process through which a condition or behaviour becomes defined as a medical problem requiring a medical solution. Can lead to empathy for person with condition. Can ensure that person with condition receives help.
