The Application of Symbolic Interactionism in the Sociology of Professions: Evolution of the Approach

The purpose of this research is a historical analysis of the symbolic interactionism paradigm contribution to the development of the sociology of professions, consideration of modern trends in the study of professions in interactionism. For this, using the method of chronological typology, the author analyzes the most characteristic works for each selected period. As such periods, urban, “Hughes”, and modern ones are distinguished. The considered papers demonstrate the development of research thought from the examination of informal professions (thief, saleswoman, musician), peculiar to the early Chicago school, towards the creation of their own terminology (E. Hughes) and research interests. The findings indicate that in the interactionists’ works, qualitative methodology dominates, and the terminology is built on the instrumental principle arising in the process of research to explain the data obtained. The analysis of explatory questions considered by interactionists includes the investigation of lower status and deviant professions, “front-line” works, and how the existing boundaries are formed and given support to.