The relationship between work, society, and the individual is explored in sociological terms, proceeding under the assumption that what people are is in large measure a function of what they do. Six chapters include: (1) An Approach to Work, presenting work from historical and sociological perspectives, a sociological definition, and the social context of work, with three examples of the division of labor used to illustrate the concepts of people, position, and purpose; (2) Who Works: The American Labor Force, an historical examination touching on the decennial census, labor force statistics, occupational status, and future trends and prospects; (3) Dimensions of Occupational Analysis, presenting the "natural history" and social organization of the occupation, the occupation in its structural and interpersonal context, work and colleague groups, colleagueship and occupational culture, and control over occupational members; (4) Occupations in Process: Professionalization, examining the process of acquiring professional status touching on the role of political behavior and with three illustrations; (5) Work and the Self, discussing recruitment, meaning of work, careers, social-psychological perspectives, and work identity; (6) Work as a Social Problem, examining specialization, workers dissatisfaction, meaning of work, automation, and bureaucratization. Suggested reading for each chapter is presented, and the book is indexed. (LH)