The Characteristics of Sociological Practitioners: A Social Psychological Examination

Questionnaires were sent by mail and e-mail to 143 members of the Sociological Practice Association. The purpose of the questionnaire was to measure the role expectations as qualities (competencies), role expectations as actions, and role enactments of the respondents'. An additional goal was to examine how respondents perceived their work to be sociological in nature, and how they saw their work as different from the practices of social workers, counselors, and psychologists. The first question that was addressed was, “Do sociological practitioners have clear and unambiguous role expectations for their work as practitioners?” The data showed that most role expectations measured as competencies were clear and unambiguous, and only a few were ambiguous and unclear. The second question addressed was, “Do sociological practitioners perceive their role enactments to differ from other helping professionals such as social workers, counselors, and psychologists?” The data showed that sociological practitioners do perceive their role enactments to be different because of their use of sociological theory and their focus on social structures. The final question asked was, “How do sociological practitioners perceive their work as sociological in theory, methods, or both?” The data showed that sociological practitioners perceive their work as sociological based on their use of sociological theory. Most respondents reported that they used common scientific methods, and few reported the use of psychological theory.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2002

Author dc:creator

• Carr, Joel Lance

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kitchens, James A.
• Yeatts, Dale E.
• Eve, Susan Brown
• Holman, John E.
• Bullock, Lyndal M.

• Sociologists.
• Sociological Practice Association.
• Role expectation.
• Sociological Practice Association
• questionnaires
• competencies
• actions
• role enactments

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Carr, Joel Lance
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 54677859
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3096/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3096

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3096