Name some of the criticisms of the medical model of health and illness.

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ1
icon
Related questions
Question

Name some of the criticisms of the medical model of health and illness.

Expert Solution
Introduction

Health is defined as a state of complete physical, emotional, and social well-being, rather than simply the absence of disease or illness. Health, illness, mental wellbeing, functional limitations, disabilities and medicalization are also aspects of health sociology. 

Explanation

The medical model is a health model that proposes disease is detected, identified and classified through a structured process of monitoring, interpretation, and differentiation in compliance with established guidelines, such as physical screening, exams, or a list of symptoms/ signs descriptions. There are few significant assertions of the model that must be addressed.

The apparent lack of disease is regarded as health. The medical model defines the dominant approach to illness in medical science. It views the human body as a very complicated machine and advocates treating signs and symptoms with only medical intervention and methods. This model is concerned with causal relationships and is based on cause and effect. As a result, this approach is used to cure diseases rather than educating and informing the public about health before an illness or disease occurs. This approach has a very limited view and doesn't quite take into account other factors that drive diseases, it only takes into consideration abnormal bodily operations.

It promotes the false notion of health dualism, in which physiological and psychological issues are handled and treated differently. It also places an excessive amount of emphasis on disability and impairment instead of an individual's abilities and potentials.

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134641287
Author:
Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:
Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780393639407
Author:
Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis…
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis…
Sociology
ISBN:
9781305503076
Author:
Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien…
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien…
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134477596
Author:
Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:
PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134205571
Author:
James M. Henslin
Publisher:
PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:
9780134206325
Author:
John J. Macionis
Publisher:
PEARSON