Sociological Work

"These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood." --Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review "[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described." --Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science "These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood." --Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review "[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described." --Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science -These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood.- --Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review -[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described.- --Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science

Howard S. Becker taught at numerous universities and authored many books, including Tricks of the Trade, Outsiders , and Art Worlds . He was editor of Social Problems and past president of the Society for the Study of Social Problems.

PREFACE PART I PROBLEMS OF SOCIOLOGICAL METHOD 1 On Methodology 2 Problems of Inference and Proof in Participant Observation 3 Field Work Evidence 4 The Life History and the Scientific Mosaic 5 Social Observation and Social Case Studies 6 The Nature of a Profession 7 Problems in the Publication of Field Studies 8 Whose Side Are We On? PART II EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND EXPERIENCES 9 Social-Class Variations in the Teacher-Pupil Relationship 10 The Teacher in the Authority System of the Public School 11 The Career of the Chicago Public School Teacher 12 The Elements of Identification with an Occupation (with James Carper) 13 The Development of Identification with an Occupation (with James Carper) 14 Adjustment of Conflicting Expectations in the Development of Identification with an Occupation (with James Carper) 15 Schools and Systems of Social Status 16 Noncollege Youth PART III THE PROCESSES OF PERSONAL CHANGE 17 Careers, Personality and Adult Socialization (with Anselm L. Strauss) 18 Notes on the Concept of Commitment 19 Personal Change in Adult Life 20 The Self and Adult Socialization PART IV DEVIANCE 21 History, Culture and Subjective Experience: An Exploration of the Social Bases of Drug-Induced Experiences 22 Conventional Crime: Rationalizations and Punishment 23 Deviance and Deviates INDEX