Professionalization
Encyclopedia
Professionalization is the social process by which any trade
or occupation transforms itself into a true "profession
of the highest integrity and competence." This process tends to involve establishing acceptable qualification
s, a professional body
or association to oversee the conduct of members of the profession
and some degree of demarcation of the qualified from unqualified amateurs. This creates "a hierarchical divide between the knowledge-authorities in the professions and a deferential citizenry." This demarcation is often termed "occupational closure
", as it means that the profession
then becomes closed to entry from outsiders, amateurs and the unqualified: a stratified occupation "defined by professional demarcation and grade." The origin of this process is said to have been with guilds during the Middle Ages, when they fought for exclusive rights to practice their trades as journeymen, and to engage unpaid apprentices.
Professions also possess power
, prestige, high income, high social status
and privileges; their members soon come to comprise an elite
class
of people, cut off to some extent from the common people, and occupying an elevated station in society: "a narrow elite...a hierarchical social system: a system of ranked orders and classes."
The professionalization process tends to establish the group norms
of conduct and qualification
of members of a profession
and tends also to insist that members of the profession
achieve "conformity
to the norm." and abide more or less strictly with the established procedures and any agreed code of conduct
, which is policed by professional bodies, for "accreditation assures conformity to general expectations of the profession."
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
or occupation transforms itself into a true "profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
of the highest integrity and competence." This process tends to involve establishing acceptable qualification
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
s, a professional body
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
or association to oversee the conduct of members of the profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
and some degree of demarcation of the qualified from unqualified amateurs. This creates "a hierarchical divide between the knowledge-authorities in the professions and a deferential citizenry." This demarcation is often termed "occupational closure
Occupational closure
Occupational closure is the sociological term given to the process whereby a trade or occupation transforms itself into a true profession by closing off entry to the profession to all but those suitably qualified. The profession then becomes closed to entry from outsiders, amateurs and the...
", as it means that the profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
then becomes closed to entry from outsiders, amateurs and the unqualified: a stratified occupation "defined by professional demarcation and grade." The origin of this process is said to have been with guilds during the Middle Ages, when they fought for exclusive rights to practice their trades as journeymen, and to engage unpaid apprentices.
Professions also possess power
Power (sociology)
Power is a measurement of an entity's ability to control its environment, including the behavior of other entities. The term authority is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power can be seen as evil or unjust, but the exercise of power is accepted as endemic to...
, prestige, high income, high social status
Social status
In sociology or anthropology, social status is the honor or prestige attached to one's position in society . It may also refer to a rank or position that one holds in a group, for example son or daughter, playmate, pupil, etc....
and privileges; their members soon come to comprise an elite
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
class
Social class
Social classes are economic or cultural arrangements of groups in society. Class is an essential object of analysis for sociologists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists and social historians. In the social sciences, social class is often discussed in terms of 'social stratification'...
of people, cut off to some extent from the common people, and occupying an elevated station in society: "a narrow elite...a hierarchical social system: a system of ranked orders and classes."
The professionalization process tends to establish the group norms
Norm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
of conduct and qualification
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
of members of a profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
and tends also to insist that members of the profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
achieve "conformity
Conformity
Conformity is the process by which an individual's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are influenced by other people.Conformity may also refer to:*Conformity: A Tale, a novel by Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna...
to the norm." and abide more or less strictly with the established procedures and any agreed code of conduct
Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual, party or organization. Related concepts include ethical codes and honor codes....
, which is policed by professional bodies, for "accreditation assures conformity to general expectations of the profession."
External links
- Article abstracts on this theme
- ESA research network on sociology of professions
- University of Aberdeen reading list: Sociology of Professions
- An issue of Current Sociology devoted to this topic
- A short review of the book by Keith MacDonald
- The Professionalization Process for the Ontario Fire Service
- Professionalization of Exercise Physiology online journal
- Women as Managers of Libraries: A Developmental Process in India
- Prestige, Power, Recognition & Respect in Canadian Child Care
- The Professionalization of Community Interpreting
- Aspects of the profession of Pharmacy