Discuss to what extent you consider that 'professional identity' is an outdated idea and why challenging it may be a good thing

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Discuss to what extent you consider that ‘professional identity’ is an outdated idea and why challenging it may be a good thing

Introduction

During this assignment I will first establish what is meant by ‘professional identity’ and identify some key features in the forming of this identity. I will also look at which ‘others’ can become involved in the issues surrounding identity and how they can be devalued by it’s presence within the workplace. I can then begin to look at whether identity is a good thing and if it is an outdated idea - can any of it be preserved?

Main Discussion

Professional identities have been formed over many, many years and can be described as “… a narrative about the self which involves a sense of belonging” (Davies, 2003, p.193). An idea of how classic professional identity can be identified is outlined in the box below:

(Davies, 2003, p.197)

It is worth noting though that not all professionals are happy with their identity “It’s tempting to always see other people as fitting their job identity very closely, while your view of yourself probably recognises that you are more complex…” (K303 learning guide, 2003, p.102) but “people do not always accept completely the identities they are confronted with: they reflect on them and accept and reject certain parts” (Davies, 2003, p.191). There are also problems when people have to maintain the standards that their identity imposes on them “Classic professional identity can thus require almost impossibly high standards, giving no support in achieving them and generally social isolation” (Davies, 2003, p.194)

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Psychologists see identity as part of the developmental process whereas sociologists put their emphasis on roles and the learning processes. It also has to be noted that a person can have many identities and that “identities are also complex and shifting and can sometimes sit uneasily together” (Davies, 2003, p.190)

A good example of professional identity in practice is to look at the role of a doctor. In relation to the box above doctors tend to have these traits and the title of ‘doctor’ immediately summons up thoughts of such a person when the general public think of ...

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