What are Sociological Theories?
Sociology is the study of people, society, and the study of the behavior of social beings. This branch of science tends to be overlooked or not necessarily considered a science because those in the field use qualitative data more frequently than quantitative data. However, that should be not take away from sociology being considered a science. Four major sociological perspectives have evolved over time: symbolic interactionism, functionalism, conflict theory, and feminist theory.
The Conflict Theory
The conflict theory represents how human behavior, in the social context, is shaped by conflicts between two competing groups and emphasizes the inequality of a social group. Conflict theorists would argue that those that have the least amount of resources will be usually the ones that are at some point diagnosed with a mental health illness. (1) It is not a secret that individuals that are wealthier,
The Symbolist Interactionist Perspective
The symbolist interactionist perspective examines how individuals interact with one another through symbols and are socially constructed. In simpler terms, how one feels about themselves is developed by how they act and interact with others. Most individuals that have a mental health disorder experience this perspective because of the societal stigma that surrounds mental health. Historically, mental health has not been portrayed in a kind light. In movies and pop culture, individuals with a mental health condition were written off as “crazy” or “unstable.” Through the symbolist interactionist perspective, the negative portrayal of individuals with mental health disorders has fueled stigma and created the connotation that they are dangerous. This additionally negatively impacts those with a mental health disorder because they become reluctant to seek help in fear of a negative reaction.
References:
- Crossman, Ashley. “The Sociology of Deviance and Mental Illness.” ThoughtCo. ThoughtCo, August 19, 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/deviance-and-mental-illness-3026266.
