How Lay Are Lay Beliefs?

Abstract

The article explores and problematizes the concept of lay beliefs. The article undertakes this using an example of ‘good practice’ in lay beliefs research – an article by Ilka Kangas recently published in health: (2001 vol. 5(1)) – to illustrate how fundamental problems with the concept still arise. The article argues that lay beliefs are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to study because they are tied up with the certainty of diagnosis and the legitimacy that is afforded by taking on medical rationality. Moreover, ‘commonsense’ views are themselves based upon understandings within expert paradigms. Implications for research are considered and the author calls for a shift of focus from lay beliefs to illness accounts where individual understandings can be appreciated.