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Abstract

This thesis is a study of professional processes among the occupations of psychiatry, clinical psychology and social work. There is an initial review of the past studies on professionalisation and psychiatric ideology, and it is argued that there is a need for a socially grounded approach to the study of professionalisation, through an analysis of the ideologies to be found among the members of these occupations. The past development and present position of each of these occupations is then considered, and attention is drawn to the differences both within and between them. The substantive findings of this study, derive from the interviews with 38 psychiatrists, 38 social workers and 27 psychologists, working mainly in mental hospital settings. Seven different ideologies, that were discovered among these staff are described; the doctor and eclectic' ideology among the psychiatrists, the welfare worker and therapist ideology among the social workers, the ‘tester and professional among the psychologists and the dissident ideology that was found among all three groups. Attention is directed to the way the ideologies represent different "definitions of the situation, and the way they justify or reconcile disparities of power and influence. Accepting that the psychiatrists are the key audience for the lay staff, their view of the latter’s role is examined, and further the way they defend their own dominance. These issues are then explored from the point of view of the social workers and psychologists, in order to identify how far they legitimise the psychiatrists claims, and further the extent to which they pose a challenge to them. The question of the professionalisation of social work and clinical psychology is then considered through an analysis of their social structural position within the hospitals. The processes of ‘personalisation’, particularisation and accommodation are identified and described as providing evidence of the way the status quo within psychiatry is maintained.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Departments:	Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses > School of Arts and Social Sciences Doctoral Theses

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