03 Death as an Object of Sociological Study

Death as an Object of Sociological Study Structural Functionalist Durkheim? Balance ( death helps achieve equilibrium Society = web of institution one change ( reverberates Results (eufunctional and dysfunctional) Consequences (intended ( manifest unintended ( latent) Rituals reaffirm group + reinforce social organization -legitimize social order Collectivity + cohesion -whole society eventually balances out Ex: funeral intentional: to show support unintentional: strengthen social relationship Conflict Theory Opposite of structure functional but both look at group Dissension, competition, disequilibrium, social change Competition for limited social resources Differentiation among people ( class, unprivileged, race ex: medical care, mortality Issues of fairness Ex; dividing estate Social Exchange Individuals will continue to participate in social exchange as long as there is a benefit Human behavior requires subjective and interpretative interaction w/ others Reciprocity -avoid judgment Symbolic and non symbolic rewards Social learning Conditioning + conforming We learn through conditioning how to behave as members of the society Breaking social norms ( punished follow ( rewarded Every society has a set of social norms Symbolic Interaction Individual level behavior is a response to symbols relative to audience and situation Patient and doctor interaction Individual interpretations and responses