Lecture 4

Question 1

Check list of professions

Answer 1

1. Professional practice is based on specialized knowledge. There must be a balance between general and specialized knowledge with a professional training.
2. University-based training program that prepares individuals to be competent practitioners.
3. The work of a professional is deemed to be of great value, both to society as a whole and to the individual who makes use of professional services. (value of the service to society)
4. The distinctive roles and specialized skills of professionals confer considerable power. It is therefore of great importance that this power not be abused or used for the wrong purposes. Professionals must put aside their own interests and give primacy to the needs of their clients and society as a whole. (authority over client)
5. The ethical standards of professions also apply to interactions with other members of the profession. (code of ethics)
6. Professionals are distinguished from other occupational groups by their ability to function with a high degree of autonomy and self-governance. A professional’s actions are based on his or her evaluation of a situation and not on orders from a higher authority. (autonomy and self-governance)

Question 2

Semi professionals

Answer 2

Engineers, teachers, librarians, social workers.

Claims to professional status because their occupations exibit some of the characteristics of the more established professions, or because all these charateristics are present but in weakened form

Question 3

Paraprofessionals

Answer 3

practitioners have been able to convince government officials and the public, that they occupy a special occupational niche that has the requiste characteristics of a profession, whether or not it actually does