The Tuskegee Study In Sociology

To fully understand the sociological implications of the issue on government surveillance, it is critical to examine the social problem using Structural Functionalism Theory, and Conflict Theory. Structural Functionalism explains the issue on government surveillance by viewing the society as a living organism with "organs," or social institutions, that work together to keep the society stable. The social institution that is closely related to the issue on surveillance is the government. In a different perspective, Conflict Theory explains the social problem by looking at the society as an entity that constantly changes due to conflicting values.

Sociology has its unique perspectives and each perspective makes sense on its own basis. From the three perspectives which are called conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and functionalism the one that makes most sense to me is symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism as stated in the book is, “[A] theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world and communicate with one another.” The sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism was developed by Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead. Symbolic interactionism is analyzed at a microsociological level unlike conflict theory and functionalism.

Sociologists for centuries have debated the structure by which society evolves. Theories are tested to explain the changes by which society operates. Structural functionalism and conflict theory are the main viewpoints sociologists use to evaluate the changes in the habits of society. Mass incarceration is an example of social phenomenon. Mass incarceration can be viewed as a structural functionalism or a conflict theory. I believe the influences that have created today’s society are dependent on the view of the individual and decisions and actions they take.

Sociology is the “Systematic or scientific study of human society and social behavior” (Ferris and Stein, 2016, p. 9). The study of a single society and its behaviors can have contrast due to a 20th century event. In the essay, Racism and Research: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, an unethical experiment took place in the year 1932 in Macon County, Alabama. This case can discuss the topics of culture, socialization, deviance, and race. All of which can become visible in a society through the structural functionalism theory. George Herbert Mead derives this perspective as “A way of looking at the world” through a specific lens (Ferris and Stein, 2016, p. 10).

One of the main sociological theories is functionalism. Functionalism is a macro-consensus theory. The fact that it is ‘macro’ means it analyses society through social institutions such as: peer groups, education, workplace, mass media and religion, and the fact that it is ‘consensus’ means functionalists focus on the harmony is society ad see society working as a human body would [https://www.thoughtco.com/functionalist-perspective-3026625]. They claim society is made up of interrelated parts that work together to maintain homeostasis. Functionalists see the world through rose-tinted glasses so focus on the stability, harmony and continuity of society as a whole. Hence, they have a positive outlook on society. However, a drawback to functionalism is that it doesn’t look at or focus on an individual and their role in society. This theory can be linked to social stratification. Social stratification is a concept which focuses on the existence of structural inequalities within society. The most distinctive form of this comes via the social class, the division of society into the upper, middle and lower/working class. Also, society can be stratified according to age, gender and ethnicity [Bottero, W. 2005:03]. This shows the link between an individual and society as it proclaims that society is positively layered

Bias, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is an inclination of temperament or outlook, or a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgement. We face bias in our everyday lives when dealing with all aspects of life and not necessarily the criminal justice system. As a part of society, like conflict, bias helps our society function. While not always in a positive sense, bias does have a place in society that helps it function the way we know it today. Bias in society can be compared or categorized under the sociological perspective of Functionalism. The sociological theory of Functionalism is essentially when all aspects of society that are interdependent contribute to the functioning existence of society as a whole. If there was no bias in society,

One approach is increment both the quantity of cops in neighborhoods and increment their association with the influenced territories. Police officers are deemed in such a bad light that I think that if police officers are seen in a sincerer light of being more connected to the community, they will forge a better bond to the community links to the area and help to become a barrier in the war. While justice and police have an important role to play, repression only is counter-productive if not combined with development interventions that look at the drivers of violence.

Sociology is the research and analysis of the human society; meaning sociologist examine why we behave the way we behave, what affects our behavior, and if ordinary things are more complex than they seem. When developing a sociological perspective it makes the “familiar strange” (Conley, 3). When someone is trying to think as a sociologist it is encouraged to question aspects in your life that you thought were normal, which conveniently can make you feel unsure about what lifestyle you are comfortable living in.  A sociological perspective is gained when you learn to think through a “sociological lense” that challenges your mind to new levels of thought (Godwin, Lecture). When in rhythm with your sociological mind you reflect on new personal

My chosen contemporary social problem is drugs and alcohol abuse. Structural-Functionalist perspective on drug abuse is a response to weakening societal norms. Drugs and alcohol abuse is one of the most significant social problems not only in the United States but also around the world. As a matter of facts, drugs and alcohol abuse is a problem with innumerable effects both on the body and mind of a person. Many times, these adverse impacts affect the families, friends, and acquaintances of the addict whereby, for instance, the latter may lose their jobs or cause chaos. For individuals that abuse psychoactive drugs it can affect the body in many different ways, such as behavioral, cognitive and physiological problems, these problems occur when a person that abuse psychoactive drugs on a regular basis. Consequently, I chose this topic because it is a major problem that has affected the lives of the individuals and those around them in the communities. Not a single day has ever ended without me coming across a drug addict begging for money. To my dismay, some of these people are usually so drunk that they cannot even communicate or stand properly. Therefore, I have come to conclude that drug and alcohol is a problem that can cause long-term effects. I desire to learn more about the issue and help individuals with addiction problems now and in future.

Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932): The Tuskegee Study highlighted the medical misconduct and flagrant behavior of medical physicians on the human rights that takes place under the banner of science. The researchers were not mentally challenged scientists; rather they were government physicians. The subjects of the study were the untreated people suffering from syphilis in rural African region. Government doctors who conducted this study did not inform the subjects and also did not take their consent. In 1972 when Jean Heller uncovered the whole story then only study's unethical features come to be known. By this time, over one hundred of the infected men died and others suffered from serious syphilis related

In todays society there is an abundance of social problems and one that is notable is illness and health care. This particular social problem has raised some attention among society. Individuals tend to analyze it from one of three perspectives. These three sociological theories/perspectives are the structural-functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each has a different approach to the causes of this social problem.

With this basic understanding of sociology in mind, three major theoretical perspectives emerge. The first is structural functionalism. This is a macro perspective and uses different structures to make a society that

Discuss the three main theoretical paradigms of sociology. For each paradigm (symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory), describe a theorist and his/her ideas, and apply these ideas to understanding why people commit crimes. [4-5 pages] There are three main theories used in sociology, the first one is called structural functionalist theory also known as functionalism. Functionalism states that all parts of society are working together for the good of society “The state or government was seen to be the brain; industry was the muscular system; media and mass communication were the nervous system” (Conley,.

For a start, the word Tuskegee has acquired numerous negative connotations for its unethical/infamous research study. The study entailed, 600 black men; 200 undiagnosed “controlled group”; and 400 “subjects” assumed to be diagnosed with syphilis – a sexually transmitted disease encompassing life threating medical complications along with the notions of what society examined as deviant/stigmatizing. Moreover, as a widespread public health concern, treatment/research for syphilis was established for the participants.

Structural functionalism is a macro level approach to study sociology (Browning, 2015). Structural functionalists believe social consensus is what holds society together; social consensus being a condition in which most members of the society agree on what would be good for everyone. Structural functionalists view society as a web of social structures, each structure being functional to fulfill it’s own needs, but dependent on all other structures for survival (Vago, 2012).