Question 1

Which of the following provides an example of demedicalization?

Accepted Answer

Demedicalization refers to a process in which a condition or behavior that was previously labeled as a medical problem is redefined as a normal variation of human experience. Homosexuality was once considered a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association but was removed from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973, signifying a shift away from pathologizing same-sex attraction.

Question 2

Define what is meant by medicalization and give three examples of conditions that have become medicalized.

Accepted Answer

Medicalization refers to the process of defining and treating a non-medical condition or behavior as a medical problem. This can involve the medical profession taking control of an issue that was previously considered a social or personal problem, and providing medical interventions or treatments for it.

Three examples of conditions that have become medicalized include:
1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): In the past, children who were hyperactive or had trouble focusing in school may have been seen as simply energetic or in need of discipline. However, ADHD has become medicalized, with pharmaceutical treatments such as Ritalin and Adderall being commonly prescribed to manage symptoms.

2. Social anxiety: While feeling nervous or uncomfortable in social situations has always been a part of the human experience, social anxiety has become medicalized as a mental health disorder. This has led to the development of medications and therapy specifically targeted at treating social anxiety.

3. Menopause: Menopause, the natural process of a woman's body ceasing to menstruate and experiencing hormonal changes, has been medicalized with the development of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings.

These examples illustrate how medicalization can shape our understanding and treatment of various conditions, and the potential impact it can have on individuals and society.

Question 3

Medicalization refers to:

Accepted Answer

Medicalization refers to the process whereby non-medical issues or problems are defined and treated as medical problems. This can include aspects of everyday life such as social behavior or emotions, which are attributed to medical conditions or diseases. For example, spousal abuse could be seen as a social problem, but medicalization may reframe it as a mental health issue.

Question 4

Describe the concept of healthism and its consequences for the medicalization and morality of risky behaviour and disease prevention.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the concept of healthism and its...

Question 5

Clinical iatrogenesis refers to illness resulting from the intentional involvement of medical treatment.

Accepted Answer

Clinical iatrogenesis occurs when a patient experiences illness or injury as a direct result of medical treatment or intervention, whether intentional or unintentional.

Question 6

The sham surgery is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The sham surgery is an example of the placebo effect, as it involves giving a surgical procedure that has no therapeutic effect, but still results in patient improvement due to their belief in receiving a real treatment.

Question 7

Objects lacking in any religious or transcendent meaning are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The term "profane" refers to things that lack any religious or transcendent meaning. Therefore, A) Profane is the correct choice. B) Sacred refers to objects that are believed to be connected to a deity or supernatural power. C) Taboo refers to things that are forbidden by a particular culture or religion. D) Prerogative refers to an exclusive right or privilege.

Question 8

According to Moynihan 2003), female sexual arousal disorder FSAD) is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Moynihan (2003) argues that female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a condition that has been medicalized and promoted by pharmaceutical companies, suggesting it is a syndrome created to expand markets for new drugs.

Question 9

Medicalization of pain and suffering falls into which type of iatrogenic illness as proposed by Illich 1976)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Medicalization of pain and suffering falls into...

Question 10

The two principal components of the sick role as conceptualized by Talcott Parsons include a patient's ________________ and ___________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The two principal components of the sick...

Question 11

Which of the following has NOT been included under the concept of healthism?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy has not typically been included under the concept of healthism, as pregnancy is not typically seen as a personal behavior or lifestyle choice that can be controlled in the same way as smoking, alcohol consumption, or obesity. Healthism has historically focused on individual responsibility for health behaviors, rather than societal or structural factors that may impact health outcomes.

Question 12

Discuss the consequences on personal responsibility for a diagnosis of adult ADHD.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the consequences on personal responsibility for...

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT one of the levels in which medicalization can occur as proposed by Conrad 2000)?

Accepted Answer

Conrad's proposed levels of medicalization include conceptual, institutional, and interactional. Therefore, it is NOT true that all levels are considered in medicalization.

Question 14

Medicalization of expectation is a component of:

Accepted Answer

Social iatrogenesis refers to the process by which social expectations and norms are medicalized, leading to an over-reliance on medical interventions and the medical system.

Question 15

Government assists in the process of medicalization through its legislative power.

Accepted Answer

Government has the power to pass laws and regulations that legitimize and support the process of medicalization, such as by approving new drugs and medical treatments, funding medical research, and setting standards for medical practice.

Question 16

Which of the following institutions has lost the least control over their domain of practice to the process of medicalization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following institutions has lost...

Question 17

Which of the following results in the invention of new diagnoses through redefining natural processes as diseases or conditions?

Accepted Answer

Direct-to-consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals can lead to the invention of new diagnoses through redefining natural processes as diseases or conditions in order to promote and sell their medications. This is done in order to expand the market for these drugs and increase profits.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of social iatrogenesis as proposed by Illich 1976)?

Accepted Answer

According to Illich's concept of social iatrogenesis, medicalization of pain and suffering is considered a symptom of the problem. However, the other options - dependency of society on care, medicalization of the human lifespan, and dependency of society on drugs - are all symptoms of social iatrogenesis as proposed by Illich.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a type of iatrogenic illness as proposed by Illich 1976)?

Accepted Answer

According to Illich's proposal, the types of iatrogenic illness are clinical iatrogenesis (resulting from medical treatment), social iatrogenesis (resulting from the social organization and policies of healthcare institutions), and structural iatrogenesis (resulting from the wider social and economic structures). There is no type of iatrogenic illness named conceptual iatrogenesis as proposed by Illich.

Question 20

The discovery of the drug Viagara used improved sexual performance among males was a result of:

Accepted Answer

The discovery of the drug Viagara was due to the accidental discovery of a side-effect of a drug being developed to treat coronary artery disease.

Quiz 12: The Medicalization and Pharmaceuticalization of Society