Medicalization Activity and Classification Paper

This week we looked at medicine from a social constructionist standpoint.  While people often think of the field of medicine in purely biological terms, medical sociologists point out the many ways in which our social meanings and interactions with people define and shape their practices and outcomes.  A key concept of this lens is medicalization, or the process through which something becomes defined as medical in nature and requiring medical assistance.

For this week’s activity, you will explore the concept of medicalization by thinking about your reasons for classifying something as medical or not.  A key part of this is thinking thoroughly about your reasons for placing something into one category or another.  Take notes, as you will submit your reasons for credit (note, this isn’t a right or wrong activity but rather one that helps us see the social construction of thought and knowledge.  Feel free to play “devil’s advocate” so you can capture a range of answers. 

You are also welcome to do this activity with a partner.

Medicalization Activity Instructions

Below is a list of six different conditions.  Think about if you feel each condition is like a disease or illness:  

“ (e.g. people with cancer)”  have a medical condition, like a disease or illness.

As you move through the list,

a) rank each on a scale of agreement:

Strongly Agree Neither Agree or Disagree           Strongly Disagree. 

b) provide reasons for your ranking. 

1. People with cancer       
2. Depressed people     
3. Obese people     
4. People who are attracted to members of their same sex 
5. People who are sexually attracted to children  
6. People with racist beliefs and feelings

Last, look at all your reasons for ranking each condition.  Did you use any of the same reasons to justify something being medical and something being not medical?  How does this relate to social constructions of illness, health, and medicine?