Clouder, Deanne Lynn (2001) Becoming professional : an exploration of the social construction of identity. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Becoming professional involves identity work The way in which people are
'transformed' into professionals has a fundamental impact on selves, yet the
process has received scant attention from researchers Based on ethnographic
research, involving in-depth interviews, participant observation and documentary
analysis, this thesis examines the social practices responsible for 'shaping'
undergraduate occupational therapy (OT) students into professional people
By situating the everyday experiences of OT students in broader theoretical
debates about structure and agency and the social construction of identity I
suggest that the professional person is socially constructed The process involves
being externally defined by others, which has implications for self-definition
However, notwithstanding evidence that becoming professional is narrowly
prescribed, I highlight a certain capacity for agency
The notion of becoming professional is presented as a progressive narrative of
the lived experiences of the OT students The narrative illustrates the tensions
and uncertainties inherent in change as students begin to position themselves in
relation to varying practices and discourses implicit in OT Their ambiguous
location in terms of the professionalisation process is highlighted through a need
for social support that is vital for definition and re-definition of self-hood
Immersion in practice partially resolves the ambiguity of developing professional
identities as students learn to respond to its demands For example, the taking up
of caring discourses provides a focus of particular importance within OT
The thesis contributes to an understanding of professional socialisation at both
theoretical/conceptual and practical levels Social constructionism offers a lens
through which professional socialisation may be viewed from an entirely new
perspective Furthermore, increased awareness of the dynamics of the process has
implications for the practice-base of OT education Finally, greater insight into
the lived experience of becoming professional may benefit potential students

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Occupational therapy -- Study and teaching, Professional socialization
Official Date:	April 2001
Dates:	Date Event April 2001 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Continuing Education
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Hughes, Christina, 1952-
Extent:	x, 348, [38] leaves
Language:	eng

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