Citation

Margolin L. Deviant Behav. 2012; 33(8): 624-638.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01639625.2011.636719

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research shows how a psychiatrist who was forced to surrender his medical license for criminal and ethical violations, including beatings, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and sexual abuse, was shielded from criticism by his professional colleagues. In their descriptions of his work, they routinely omitted details of his patients' pain and injuries while concurrently proclaiming his therapeutic successes and good intentions. This single case analysis confirms what labeling theorists have long been telling us about categorical identity: it is not a function of factual correctness. Reference to a physician as "abusive" is not necessarily provided by the fact that he assaults patients before an audience of expert witnesses. Other categories such as "miracle man" or "warrior" or "crusader" can also be justified.