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Functionalist Perspective on Health

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Medical Sociology in Africa

Abstract

Sociological theories provide frameworks and insights that allow for the systemisation of knowledge of the social world. This is why theory is fundamental in empirical investigation and the scientific explanation of events. This is the first of the four chapters on sociological theoretical underpinning in health studies. The starting point is the functionalist perspective which is dated to the works of August Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and many other scholars. The chapter discusses this realist perspective, showing the basic features of functionalism as a positivist, nomothetic, deterministic, and macroscopic tradition. The chapter then discusses three classical and substantive theories of functionalism in medical sociology, including the Sick Role by Talcott Parsons; Suicide by Emile Durkheim; and Social Capital Theory of Health. The features and criticisms of the sick role are discussed. The major idea of the Durkheimian perspective is the understanding of mortality through suicide by emphasising the social determinants that play major roles in suicide. Social capital is discussed as a major social resource that can help promote health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

    Jimoh Amzat

  2. AG3 Epidemiology & Intern Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany

    Oliver Razum

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  1. Jimoh Amzat
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  2. Oliver Razum
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Correspondence to Jimoh Amzat .

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Amzat, J., Razum, O. (2014). Functionalist Perspective on Health. In: Medical Sociology in Africa. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03986-2_5

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