Measures of Biochemical Sociology
In a previous article, the authors introduced a new sub field in sociology that we labeled “biochemical sociology.” We introduced the definition of a sociology that encompasses sociological measures, psychological measures, and biological indicators Snell & Marsh (2003). In this article, we want to demonstrate a research strategy that would assess the three areas. Discussion: Sociological Indicators Let’s assume that an individual is either anxious and/or depressed.
The sociological measures would ask questions that deal with group
and individual overt stressors. The Revised Social Readjustment Rating Scale Weiss & Lonnquist (2003) includes a question such as “fired at work.” On the whole, the sociological measures are extremely valuable, but incomplete. To this, we add the psychological dimension. Psychological Indicators There is overlap here but we want to state that the psychological usually covers intra-psychic phenomena with secondary external stressors. As an example, a validated biometric scale recognized in the psychiatric and psychological field is the Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D). This asks questions related to suicidal ideation, feelings of guilt, depressed mood, and feelings of paranoia. Williams (1988).A second validated biometric scale is the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(Ham-A) covers panic feelings, anxiety symptoms and related. Williams (1988) Again, the measures are helpful but incomplete, because we do not have any biological evidence of pathology. Biological Measures We want to be general here, because the field is so new and novel to social science researchers. Additionally, we will call this a biological profile. It is not complete, but provides examples of biological measures. We also want to suggest that by bringing three fields together with ad hoc measures of scales, indexes, and inventories, that essentially, we feel more comfortable in calling all three fields and their related measures “indicators.” The individual is first asked if they have experience a “significant weight loss or gain” previous to the initial interview. Second, an additional question would include whether the respondent has been sleeping more or less than their “usual” sleep pattern. The third would be to draw an ordinary blood chemistry sample and measure if their cortisol level (a stress hormone) and check for excursions from the normal range indicating an imbalance. Henning (2003.) (A laboratory phelobotomist can easily be outsourced to obtain the blood work.) Fourth, blood pressure can easily be measured with a syphmonanometer or a stethoscope. These measures can be accomplished by a social science grad student as can the remaining biological strategies. Fifth, pulse can be measured (beats per minute- BPM) very easily, as can the respiratory rate (breaths/minute.) Last pupillary response and size may require a lab assistant or a reliably trained social science assistant. Conclusion: The three disciplines have been described in a rudimentary fashion, but we hope that the message is more powerful than the measures. In ultimate reality, there are no walls between the disciplines. To establish iron boundaries in and among related fields, we believe is folly. We want to bring humans back into sociology and psychology and humanize biology. A standard sociological study correlates at least two overt behaviors. We do not want to stop that, but suggest that other disciplines can make a wonderful contribution. We do not believe that it would harm the sociological field, but rather compliment it. We come to this conclusion from our own backgrounds. One of us is sociology major with a strong emphasis in psychology and counseling. The other of us has a sociology undergraduate degree with a doctorate in pharmacology. This has been a discussion of how three major fields can be merged to discover indicators of stress, depression, or the absence of such phenomena. References: Henning, C. (2003) www. panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa083000 Snell, J. & M. Marsh (2003) biochemical sociology Psychology & Education: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol.40, #1,27-28. Weiss, G. & L. Lonnquist (2003) The Sociology of Health, Healing,
and Illness, Williams, JBW www.healthtechsystems.com/ivr/assess/ivrhamd.html
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