Understanding ‘Occupation’ as the Founders Did

Abstract

The term ‘occupation’ is both ambiguous and encompassing. This term was adopted by the founders of the profession as a means of incorporating a variety of perspectives on the profession. Interrelating concepts deriving from pragmatism and the mental hygiene movement offer a rationale for understanding occupation. Terms used to describe occupation are egocentricity (mind/body elements), exocentricity (time/space elements) and consensuality (social elements). The integration of these aspects in occupation offers an explanation for the holism advanced by the profession at its outset and today.