MARGINAL MAN: THE IDENTITY DILMEMMA OF THE ACADEMIC GENERAL PRACTITIONER.

The study of the relationship between group membership and identity has been central to symbolic interaction. This paper describes one instance of problematic identity, that experienced by members of the newly established academic discipline of general practice. By outlining their dilemma as 'marginal men" to both service doctors and other academics within the medical faculty, attention is focussed upon the strained intraprofessional relationships when core tasks--in this case teaching and service work--are allocated very different values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]