Sociology and Medicolegal Aspects of Nursing

INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES 

It is a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions or behavior which is effective theories that explain and predict. Sociologists develop theories to explain how individual behaviour can be understood within a social context.

 Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the lecture, students should be able to:

1. Briefly describe the 3 theories/perspectives of Sociology

1.1. MAJOR THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

The Sociologists approach the study of human society in different ways. Either at the big picture; the macro view – large social phenomena of society such as social institutions and inequality. Or zero in on immediate social situations in which people interact with each other; micro view.

Three Major Sociological Theories were the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interactionist.

a. FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE

The Functionalist perspectives focused on social order. Each part of society – the family, the school,

the economy, the state – performs certain functions for the society as a whole. All parts are interdependent

E.g. The family – depends on school to educate children. School – depends on family and state for financial support- the state- depends on family and school to help children grow up to become law abiding tax paying citizens. Resulting in a stable social order

Dysfunction: Element or process of society that may be disrupt a social system or reduce its stability

If something disrupts this social order, its parts will adjust in a way that produces stability.

E.g. If economy is in bad shape- the family would adjust – maybe spend less, save more. Schools- maybe offer fewer programs, emphasize on vocational programs – for students to get jobs. The state might cut its budget. This will result in a new social order.

According to functionalists – social consensus is what holds the society together.

Social consensus – a condition in which most members of the society agree on what would be good for everybody and cooperate to achieve it.

Social consensus according to Durkheim can come about in 2 ways, mechanical and organic solidarity.

Mechanical solidarity - Is a type of social cohesion that develops when people do similar work and have similar beliefs and values.

 Usually in small scale traditional societies e.g. everyone works at farming and believe in the same gods.

Organic solidarity - Arises when people in a society perform a wide variety of specialized jobs and therefore must depend on one another. Characteristic of complex industrialized societies

E.g. – bankers, teachers, engineers, plumbers, other businesses, professions and occupations. All of different religions. Not bound by same beliefs or conformity. Bound together by the need for each other. This perspective has been criticized for focusing on the positive functions of social events and ignoring the negative ones. It justifies status quo

E.g.- By emphasizing what every current aspect of society does for its citizens, functionalism encourages people to dismiss social change as dysfunctional (harmful) even though change may in fact produce a better society.

b. CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

Sees social change as beneficial and to assume that the social order is forcibly imposed by the

powerful on the weak. They criticize the status quo. Karl Marx believed that conflict between economic classes was the key force in society, conflict theorist today defines social conflict between any unequal groups or societies.

The Marxist View : Conflict not merely a class phenomenon but part of everyday  life in all

societies. Emphasis on social change and redistribution of resources makes conflict theorists more “radical” and “activist” than functionalists.

c.  CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

Assumes social behavior is the best understood in terms of conflict or tension

between competing groups. Conflict not necessarily violent. Which can take the form of labor negotiation, party, politics, competition between religion for new members or disputes over federal budget. Emphasize that groups or societies have conflicting interests and values and compete with each other for scarce resources.

The more powerful gain more than the less powerful, the former continues to seek more wealth and power while the latter continue to struggle for more resources. This perpetual competition results in a society that is always changing.

 d. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE

                Focuses on the details of a specific situation and the interaction between individuals in that situation. The combinations of these countless interactions in various situations is seen to constitute society. People assign meanings to each other’s words and actions. Our response to a person’s action is determined not by that person’s action but by our subjective interpretation of the action.

e. INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE

                Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction to explain society as a whole. Sociological framework for viewing human beings as living in a world of meaningful objects.

f. SYMBOLIC INTRACTIVE INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE

Suggest 2 things: people do not respond directly to physical things. Rather they respond to their own interpretations of them. because people constantly impose interpretations; on the world in general, on other people, themselves, and even their own interpretations – and then act accordingly, human behavior is fluid, always changing.

                How we act is constantly being altered by how we interpret other people’s actions to our own behavior. This perspective has been criticized for ignoring the larger issues of national and international order and change, and the influence of social forces and social institutions on individual interactions.

g. FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE

                Views inequality in gender as central to all behavior and organization. Sometimes allied with conflict theory, the feminist perspective also focus on micro-level relationships of everyday life, just as interactionist do.

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