Unit 8 Sociological Perspectives Assignment Brief

Students explore the application of sociological approaches to health and social care, and explore social inequities, demographic changes and patterns and trends in social groups.

Unit introduction

Sociology will lead you to question many of the attitudes you hold and the assumptions you make about society and individuals who have care and support needs. To work effectively  in health and social care, you need to be familiar with sociologists’ research findings and  be able to apply a sociological understanding to your practice.

You will gain an understanding of the different sociological perspectives and concepts and consider how these can be applied to health and social care. You will examine what is meant by health, and how the definitions and models used by health and social care professionals affect individuals. By examining inequities in society, you will be better equipped to understand and support individuals who come from different social groups. You will explore recent changes to the approach to treatment, diagnosis and care in health and social care.

These activities will help you gain the skills necessary for progression to higher education  in many subject areas through the development of research skills and analysis of different views and perspectives. It will also support progression into different career paths, including social work, care work, community support work and nursing.

Learning Aim and Assessment Criteria

The essential content is set out under content areas. Students must cover all specified content before the assessment.

Learning aim A: Understand how sociological concepts and perspectives are applied to the study of health and social care

A1 Concepts and terminology used within sociology

• Diversity of culture and identity:
  • socialisation, including norms, values and roles
  • social class
  • race and ethnic or national origin
  • gender
  • age
  • region
  • religion or belief systems
  • sexual orientation
  • disability.
• The main social institutions:
  • family networks
  • education
  • health and social care services.

A2 The key sociological perspectives

• Students must understand strengths and limitations of each perspective in relation to society.
• The main sociological perspectives in relation to society:
  • functionalism
  • conflict, including feminism
  • social action, including interactionism
  • postmodernism
  • intersectionality.
• Digital sociology: how digital technologies and social media influence identity, socialisation and health behaviours.

Learning aim B: Examine how sociological approaches support understanding of models and concepts of health

B1 The biomedical model of health and alternatives

• The biomedical model:
  • origins and significance
  • criticisms
  • implications for professionals and individuals who have care and support needs.
• The alternatives:
  • social
  • complementary
  • digital health models: digital therapeutics, AI within clinical decision support.

B2 The concepts of health, ill health and disability

• Physical and mental ill health and disability as social and biological constructs.
• Definitions of health, including WHO, holistic, positive and negative.
• Medicalisation.
• The sick role.
• Clinical iceberg.

Learning aim C: Examine how social inequities, demographic change, and patterns and trends affect health and social care delivery

C1 Inequities within society

• Individuals experience inequity in terms of:
  • social class
  • race and ethnic or national origin
  • age
  • gender
  • disability
  • sexual orientation
  • region.
• Different social groups experience inequities through:
  • stereotyping
  • prejudices
  • labelling
  • attitudes, including individual and societal biases
  • discrimination
  • marginalisation.
• Climate change and health inequities: how environmental factors and climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
• Post-pandemic health disparities: the impact of COVID-19 on different social groups, including long COVID and access to healthcare.
• Cost-of-living crisis: how economic instability affects health outcomes and access to services.

C2 Demographic change and data

• Demographic change:
  • birth and death rates
  • family and household size
  • migration
  • ethnic composition
  • life expectancy.
• Uses of demographic data:
  • assessing the potential needs of the population
  • planning/targeting services.
• Real-time data and predictive analytics: how health services use predictive modelling with big data to plan and deliver care.
• Changing family structures: rise of single-parent households, cohabitation, and chosen families in demographic discussions.

C3 Patterns and trends in health and ill health within social groups

• Mortality rates, suicide rates, incidence and prevalence of disease and illness.
• Difficulties in measuring health.
• Local or national patterns and trends of care for different groups in society.
• Marketisation of health and social care.

C4 Global perspectives

• Global health inequities: health outcomes across countries and the impact of globalisation, migration and international policy.
• Cultural competency: the importance of culturally responsive care in increasingly diverse societies.

Links to other units

The assessment for this unit will draw upon some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills covered in:

• Unit 6: Psychological Perspectives
• Unit 11: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs Unit 13: Policy in Health and Social Care.

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