Sociological Characteristics of the Professions
1. professions provide a unique, definite, and essential social service
2. there is an emphasis on intellectual skills, techniques
3. there is a defined body of knowledge, skills beyond grasp of lay people
4. practices are grounded in theory and research as well as tradition
5. practitioners demonstrate a lifetime commitment to career
6. high social prestige, rewards ($)
7. practitioners accept broad personal responsibility for decisions; they can be sued for malpractice
8. there is an emphasis on service (not $)
9. professions are granted a high level of public trust
10. professionals are autonomous (independent) and customarily engage in independent decision making about practice-related matters
11. professions are characterized by self regulation: a self-governing organization of practitioners maintains control over licensing and certification standards
12. professional conduct is guided by a code of ethics ratified by organization's membership
13. administrative work is considered secondary to professional practice-related work
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