From Professionals to Experts: the Transformations of the Specialist Professions

Przedmiotem artykułu są przekształcenia zachodzące w obszarze profesjonalizmu oraz procesy społeczne będące przyczynami tych przeobrażeń. Zostały one zrekonstruowane na podstawie przeglądu literatury przedmiotu rozwijającej się na Zachodzie od lat osiemdziesiątych ubiegłego wieku. Celem artykułu jest uporządkowanie podstawowych wątków dyskusji wokół tego obszaru oraz wprowadzenie ich na grunt polski. Zidentyfikowane przez autorki złożone procesy społeczne prowadzą do zaniku profesjonalizmu opartego na zaufaniu publicznym i wykształcenia się profesjonalizmu odwołującego się przede wszystkim do wiedzy eksperckiej. Współczesny profesjonalizm wymyka się dotychczas stosowanym kategoriom opisu. Autorki wskazują na wewnętrzne zróżnicowanie przedstawicieli zawodów specjalistycznych i wyróżniają kategorie „eksperta” i „nowego profesjonalisty”. Przemiany zachodzące w obszarze profesjonalizmu zostały zilustrowane przykładem ewaluacji jako nowego zawodu specjalistycznego.The article addresses the transformations of professions and their social causes. These causes have been revealed on the basis of relevant literature published since the 1980s. The aim of the article is a systematization of the main threads of discussion and its introduction into the Polish context. The complex processes, identified by the authors, lead to the disappearance of a public trust professionalism and to the emergence of an expert knowledge professionalism. The contemporary professionalism can hardly be described in the categories that have been used until now. The authors indicate the internal differentiation of the specialist professions and distinguish the categories of an “expert” and a “new professional”. The transformations in the sphere of professionalism have been illustrated by the case of evaluation as a new specialist profession

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying NMDARs Dysfunction and Their Role in ADHD Pathogenesis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, although the aetiology of ADHD is not yet understood. One proposed theory for developing ADHD is N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) dysfunction. NMDARs are involved in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory function in the brain. Abnormal expression or polymorphism of some genes associated with ADHD results in NMDAR dysfunction. Correspondingly, NMDAR malfunction in animal models results in ADHD-like symptoms, such as impulsivity and hyperactivity. Currently, there are no drugs for ADHD that specifically target NMDARs. However, NMDAR-stabilizing drugs have shown promise in improving ADHD symptoms with fewer side effects than the currently most widely used psychostimulant in ADHD treatment, methylphenidate. In this review, we outline the molecular and genetic basis of NMDAR malfunction and how it affects the course of ADHD. We also present new therapeutic options related to treating ADHD by targeting NMDAR

Uncertainty Reduction Through Everyday Performative Language Work: The Case of Coaching.

In this study, we focus on coaching in the context of small and medium-size enterprises in the creative industries. We draw on data collected from five business-coaching organizations over numerous coaching encounters with their clients. Using detailed conversational data drawn from these coaching encounters we analyze the ways in which business coaches practice "active listening" and "reflective questioning" in order to reduce the uncertainties they and their clients face when working together. We show that they do so through the strategy of positioning "performance" as central to their practice. Successful performances depend on the ability to convince clients that one's performance is what it represents itself to be: a performance that is brought off by detailed everyday language work, mimicking the client's language back on to the client. In this way, coaches demonstrate themselves as skilled analysts of everyday life and masters of listening