Medicalization of deviance

Definition

Medicalization of deviance is the process by which behaviors or conditions that were once seen as morally or socially problematic are redefined as medical issues. This shift often results in the application of medical diagnoses and treatments to what were previously considered non-medical problems.

Related terms

Stigmatization: The process through which individuals are marked and marginalized due to characteristics or behaviors deemed undesirable by society.

Social Constructionism: A theory that suggests realities are constructed through social processes and interactions, highlighting how societal norms influence perceptions of health and illness.

Biomedical Model: A dominant framework within healthcare that focuses on purely biological factors to understand and treat illness, often at the expense of considering social or psychological influences