Some Problems in the Sociology of the Professions

TLDR: In this paper, the authors deal with some of the central problems of the structure and functioning of the professional profession, focusing on the general aspects of six of these problems: (1) Social sources of con cern with the professions; (2) Toward a definition of the profes sions; (3) The role of the university professional school; (4) The emerging or marginal profession; (5) Professional roles and organi veational necessities; and (6) Professionals and poUtics.

Abstract: Although it is still only a partly developed field of speciaUzed knowledge, the sociology of the professions is already too large a body of theoretical analysis and empirical research to be more than sketched in this paper. We shall therefore deal only with some of the central problems of the structure and functioning of the pro fessions; even then, for lack of space, we shall concentrate on the general aspects of six of these problems: (1) Social sources of con cern with the professions; (2) Toward a definition of the profes sions; (3) The role of the university professional school; (4) The emerging or marginal profession; (5) Professional roles and organi zational necessities; and (6) Professionals and poUtics. Although these six problems touch upon the essential characteristics of pro fessions in all societies, our illustrations are mostly from the United States, where the largest amount of empirical research on the pro fessions has been carried out. Despite essential similarities, there are major differences among professions in different societies and at different historical times, and a more complete treatment of the professions would have to specify these comparative social and historical differences.