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Professional Ethics

Abbott, Andrew·1983·American Journal of Sociology

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Abstract

Through comparative analysis, this paper estabilishes five basic properties of professional ethics codes: universal distribution, correlation with intraprofessional status, enforcement dependent on visibility, individualism, and emphasis on colleage obligations. After discussing traditional explanations of these properties from the functionalist and monopolist perspectives, the paper adds a third perspective,relating ethics directly to intra-and extrapofessional status. A final section analyzing developments in professional ethics in America since 1900 specifies the interplay of the three processes hypothesized in the competing perspectives.

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Authors: Abbott, A.
Corresponding author: Abbott, Andrew
ORCID: Abbott, Andrew
Venue: American Journal of Sociology
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 1983-03
Volume: 88
Issue: 5
Pages: 855-885
ISSN: 0002-9602 (ISSN-L)
1537-5390
DOI: 10.1086/227762
OpenAlex: W4239870143
Cited by: 228
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI: 11.89
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: American Journal of Sociology (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Ethics in Business and Education
Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Ethics in medical practice
Keywords: professional ethics, professional ethics code, professional status, individualism, functionalism

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