Medical Model Vs Sociological Analysis

Historically, people have sought to understand the world around them and how they as people exist within that world. Through the desire for understanding of ourselves and our bodies we as people seek to label and quantify bodily functions, behaviors, and illness. People first tried to explain illness in terms of a Biblical context – good verses evil. Therefore, illness was seen as a punishment for some overt or covert evil within the person. Slowly theological explanations gave way to value judgments on those in lower socioeconomic classes and a choice of unhealthy living (Weitz, 101-102). As scientific progress moved forward two models of illness became more apparent: the medical model and the sociological model. This gave way to understanding …show more content…
The medical model utilizes an objective approach that is generally agreed upon by those within the field, illness is scientific and lacking a moral or political aspect. Finally, the medical model focuses the attention on a singular or unique etiology that can be targeted for treatment. Whereas, the sociological model approaches illness from a different view and perspective. Illness is labeled in a more subjective way leaving the educated world with multiple definitions or labels -which can lead to confusion, misdiagnosis, and delayed treatment. In the sociological model illness takes on a moral and political aspect because conditions and behaviors are now deemed as abnormal or deviant straying from the 'norm'. Since the 'norm' can very within a cultural group and groups with more power can guide the prevalence often illness label being applied to an undesirable group or the 'other'. Sociological illness models carry a political component that is not present in the medical model. Finally, the sociological model of illness attributes multiple sources as the cause of the illness: social, biological, psychological, etc (Wietz, …show more content…
As with ADD/ADHD, focus on parenting skills and low socioeconomic class is touched on as well. When the cause bounces through various possibilities it makes it easier to place blame without actually doing anything. The illusion of progress seems to be another important part of a socially constructed disorder. Those in positions of power often benefit by deeming an anti-social/anti-authoritarian group as having a mental health disorder. This mitigates political damage from the group, lessens the impact of any actions taken by said group, and prompts active medical intervention. When the medical model is insefficient the medical and socialogical communities fall back to