| Those who are surprisingly resilient and who can persevere during times of injury, illness, or disease adversity are the subject matter of this theoretical construction. These individuals are defined, within the theory, as a well role ideal type and are viewed as a companion-type to Parsons (1951) sick role ideal type for the physician-patient status-role bundle within the conceptually constructed society called The Social System. These types have long existed in society but their behavior, as a collective action, has not been conceptually recognized in the literature for its social and cultural significance. This theory explains the significance of this action, as a well behavior pattern, for the physician-patient status role bundle within the practice of medicine and for the society, as a whole. The explanation, or theory, is constructed as a social fact and the well role ideal type as a social definition (Ritzer, 1975).;The theoretical explanation is contextualized within the present-day philosophical era called neofunctionalism, underpinned by the principles of structural-functionalism, and the philosophical constructs of Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. The epistemology is theoretical. This construction also exemplifies a scholar-practitioner's ability to offer a theoretical explanation, of the human will, in and about practice (Jarvis, 1999). The methodology uses a four-step strategy, proposed by Dennis E. Mithaug (2000), strengthened with the theory-building parameters of Robert Merton (1967), David Whetten (1989), and David C. Bell (2009). This theory, as new knowledge, is also aligned with the principles and scholarly-beliefs of those who recognize the meaning and cultural influence of action in society, e.g., Jeffrey C. Alexander, Roland Barthes, Michel Foucault, Anthony Giddens, and Claude Levi-Strauss.;The interjection of personal expression and practical experience occurs in a limited manner within this dissertation. The intent of these personal expressions is not to distract but rather to enhance the explanatory and descriptive nature of the author's philosophy as well as the practical application of the theory, itself, to the real world.;KEY WORDS: Theory, theoretical construction, social system, sick role ideal type, well role ideal type, persevere, well behavior, social fact, social definition, structural-functionalism, neofunctionalism, paradigm, and phenomenon. |
