He argued in the social system, 1951 that whilst disease involves bodily dysfunction, being sick that is, being identified and accepted as illis a role governed by social expectations, of which he listed four. In order to be excused their usual duties and to be considered not to be responsible for their condition, the sick person is expected to seek professional advice and to adhere to treatments in order to get well. Start studying class 1 parsons theory of the sick role. The person is not responsible for assuming the sick role. This article examines the sick role theory introduced by talcott parsons applying his. Parsons 1951, 1978 initial thoughts on the institutional expectations of.
Sick role model when a person becomes sick, he or she may demonstrate a variety. Introduction the term sick role is termed created by american sociologist talcott parsons in 1951 parsons was a functionalist sociologist, who argued that being sick means that the sufferer enters a role of sanctioned deviance. The sick role and perceptions of disability this aint. The concept of the sick role was originally formulated over half a century ago in the work of american sociologist talcott parsons 1951. The first major theory within sociology that analysed the role of health and illness in social life was devised by the functionalist theorist talcott parsons 1951 in his book the social system. The sick role by kathleen rhodes talcott parsons first put forth his idea of the sick role in his book the social system 1951. This focus follows parsons 1978 original work, which posited that society has a functional interest in minimising illnesses because the sick role effectively inhibits the ful. In 1951 parsons developed sick role theory, believing those who were sick or injured would go to a physician or some other type of medical professional, seeking help to get back to normal health and their normal role obligations. The first major theory within sociology that analysed the role of health and illness. Six years later he produced his first book, the structure of social action 1937, in which he.
Talcott parsons has 58 books on goodreads with 25519 ratings. In western societies sick role implies 4 major expectations both rights and duties. Over three decades ago, parsons elaborated a model of how societies operate and continue to exist. In his 1951 book the social system, parsons posited the theory that sickness is not. If an individual was sick, he or she was relieved from their normal routine and capacity. While parsons recognized that health and illness have a biological basis, his account contributed to the early development of medical sociology by underscoring the sociological implications of illness and medical practice. Talcott parsons concepts for sociology talcott parsons says we are actors playing in a theatre of. It is, however, mainly used as a negative referent shilling, 2002.
His work is concerned with a general theoretical system for the analysis of society rather than with narrower empirical studies. Talcott parsons,the social system talcott parsons,social. Professor of sociology and chairman of the department of social relations, harvard university. Some of the main critics of the biomedical model of. Talcott parsons played a major role in developing several important sociological theories. Books by talcott parsons author of the social system. Although talcott parsonss sick role theory, as described in 1951 in the social.
Parsons was a functionalist sociologist who argued that being sick means that the sufferer enters a role of sanctioned deviance. Examining illness behavior using parsonss sick role. Sick role theory, as described by researcher talcott parsons in 1951, is a way of explaining the particular rights and responsibilities of those who are ill. Having studied at amherst college, the london school of economics, and heidelberg university, parsons became an instructor in economics at harvard until, in 1931, he switched to sociology. The sick role and the role of the physician reconsidered jstor. Being sick is not simply a state of fact or condition, but specifically patterned social role.
The last field of social research was an issue that parsons. Parsons did not disagree with the dominance of the medical model of health in determining illness, yet argued that being ill was not just a biological condition, but also a social role with a. With parsons there are almost two different people involved. The sick role is a theory in medical sociology that was developed by talcott parsons. Parsons sick role concept has become problematic in the face of the increased significance of chronic illnesses and the growing emphasis on lifestylecentred health promotion. The sick role still is one of the most frequently invoked of parsons concepts. Talcott parsons, the sick role and chronic illness core. Talcott parsons december 1902 8 may 1979 was an american sociologist of the classical tradition, best known for his social action theory and structural. Parsons was an advocate of grand theory, an attempt to integrate all the social sciences into an overarching theoretical framework. Sick role is a term used in medical sociology regarding sickness and the rights and obligations of the affected. Most of all parsons had become known for his concept of the sick role. The problem of health, he argued, is intimately involved with the functional prerequisities of the social system.
First, exemption from normal social role responsibilities. Pdf talcott parsons, the sick role and chronic illness. Ipt explicitly values and builds on the supportive role of. The sick role is widely accepted as an historically adequate account of normative expectations around. Parsons also played a crucial role in the development of the grand. The functionalist perspective was used by parsons to explain the social role of sickness by examining the use of the sick role mechanism. The life of talcott parsons and his influence on sociology. He argued in the social system, 1951 that whilst disease involves bodily dysfunction, being sickthat is being identified and accepted as illis a role governed by social expectations, of which he listed four. It is a concept created by the american sociologist talcott parsons in 1951. One, was when a person was sick they were excused by society from day to day activities like working or taking care of the children.
More specifically, he combines an insightful examination of the validity of the sick role concept, as developed by. What are the four aspects of the sick role model parsons. Parsons sick role concept has become problematic in the face of the increased. One, was when a person was sick they were excused by society from day to day activities like working or. Parsons was a functionalist sociologist, who argued that being sick means. The main substance of this paper was presented orally at a meeting on the sick. Generally, people hold a status position and perform a role behaviors. Talcott parsons, the sick role and chronic illness. The purpose of this chapter is to consider in detail the issue of sickrole legitimization.
Parsons did not disagree with the dominance of the medical model of health in determining illness, yet argued that being ill was not just a biological condition, but also a social role with a set of norms and values assigned to the role. Parsons had worked intensively with questions of medical sociology, the medical profession, psychiatry, psychosomatic problems, and the questions of health and illness. Talcott parsons, an american sociologist, introduced max weber to american sociology and became himself the leading theorist of american sociology after world war ii. In the name of humanity, then, in the name of modesty, in the name of wisdom, i entreat you to place yourselves in the position of those whose sufferings i describe, before you attempt to discuss what course is to be pursued toward them. In parsons definition, the sick person had two rights and two duties to fulfill. Class 1 parsons theory of the sick role flashcards quizlet. His theory of the sick role was developed in association with psychoanalysis. Parson sick role sociology bibliographies in harvard style. First, his theory of the sick role in medical sociology was developed in association with psychoanalysis. Talcott parsonss most popular book is the social system. Parsons 1951 utilized these concepts to construct a theoretical view of individuals who are sick, hence the sick role. One paragraph by baldwin is especially worth quoting. According to parsons, medicine is an institution for the social control of deviant behavior. The functionalist perspective social sci libretexts.
The concept of the sick role was first introduced in 1951 by talcott parsons. Quotes from talcott parsons concepts for sociology. His structure of social action 1937 is a detailed comparison of alfred marshall, emile durkheim, max weber, and vilfredo pareto. Rights sick person temporarily exempt from normal social roles. E book or pdf edited book email encyclopedia article govt. The social system talcott parsons snippet view 1951. Sociologists are very interested in the structure and function of society, and people who are sick or disabled play an interesting social role. The sick person is exempted from carrying out some or all of normal social duties e. This role afforded the afflicted certain rights, but also certain obligations, which were described by parsons in his four famous postulates. Health, in other words, is not just functional for the individual but for the social system too.
In the 1950s, a founding father of medical sociology, talcott parsons, described. The sick person must try and get well the sick role is only a temporary phase. I was recently introduced to the concept of the sick role, something which has been rattling around in sociology since 1951, when it was discussed by talcott parsons. Pdf parsons sick role concept has become problematic in the face of the increased. His structuralfunctional approach is concerned with how different parts of society relate to each other and contribute to a state of equilibrium.
Through use of the sick role, ipt seeks to decrease demoralization and guilt due to past social failures and the burden of current expectations, increase motivation for change as it is the role of the patient to now get well, and emphatically validate the patients current distress. Alongside his analysis of the physicians role parsons wrote of what he called the sick role mechanism. What are the four aspects of the sick role model parsons 1951. Talcott parsons, the sick role and chronic illness open research. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In order to get well, the sick person needs to seek and. Parson sick role sociology bibliographies cite this for me. Subsequently, parsons worked closely with the anthropologists clyde kluckhohn, elton mayo, and w. It is a concept created by american sociologist talcott parsons in 1951. In general terms, his entire book is devoted to a discussion of the application of role theory to the study of illness behavior. Sick role theory, as described by researcher talcott parsons in 1951, is a way of explaining the particular rights and responsibilities of those who.
In writings leading up to and including the social system 1951, parsons brought into the general action theory he was developing ideas from psychology, drawing especially on freud. Readings from talcott parsons, chichester west sussex. The sick role is a concept that concerns the social aspects of becoming ill and the privileges and obligations that come with it. Tavistock publications 12 copy quote a scientifically unimportant discovery is one which, however true and however interesting for other reasons, has no consequences for a system of theory with which scientists in that field are concerned. Both developments delimit the medical system so that it extends into the world of health, fundamentally changing the doctorpatient relationship.
1362 230 384 862 732 857 969 199 1068 185 211 5 1421 413 538 1558 1409 1227 1318 617 55 779 934 1376 1665 755 252 392 521 976 531 1250 1448 29 835