Attributes of a Profession

摘要: The professions occupy a position of great surgeon, and teacher.4 What common attri importance on the American scene.1 In butes do these professional occupations pos society such as ours, characterized by misess which distinguish them from non nute division labor based upon technical ones? After careful canvass specialization, many important features sociological literature occupa social organization are dependent tions, this writer has been able to distill functions. Professional activfive elements, there appears ity is coming play predominant role be consensus among students in life patterns increasing numbers subject, constituting distinguishing individuals both sexes, occupying attributes profession.5 Succinctly put, much their waking moments, providing all seem possess: (1) systematic goals, determining behavior, shaptheory, (2) authority, (3) community sanc ing personality. It no wonder, therefore, tion, (4) ethical codes, (5) culture, that phenomenon professionalism purpose article describe become an object observation fully attributes. sociologists.2 approach Before launching into our description, one views profespreliminary word caution due. With sion organized group conrespect each above attributes, stantly interacting with forms its matrix, performs 1 Talcott Parsons. "The Professions Social functions through network formal Structure," Forces, Vol. 17 (May 1939), pp. informal relationships, creates y „ , . T„ r ,. 2 Theodore Caplow, Sociology Work Its own subculture requiring adjustments (Minneapolis: University Minnesota Press, 1954). it prerequisite for career success.3 3 Oswald Hall, Stages Medical Career," Within category Journal Sociology, 53 (March occupational classification United States 1948) California, Berkeley, who, members his i jornia. Berkeley. ts indebted Dr. ., ' 7 research seminars, assisted him identifying William A. Kornhauser, Department abstracting university, constructive criticisms during tions. Their conscientious assistance made possible preparation paper. formulation presented