Defending illusions: the institution's struggle for survival.

Area of Science:

• Sociology of institutions
• Social psychology of organizations
• Disability studies

Background:

• Institutions for the mentally retarded have faced increasing external criticism over the last 15 years.
• Challenges have come from professionals, legal systems, parent advocacy groups, and media outlets.
• The legitimacy of these institutions has been questioned, prompting a need to understand their responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how officials in institutions for the mentally retarded manage external criticism.
• To analyze the strategies employed by these institutions to maintain their legitimacy and survival.
• To understand the symbolic processes involved in institutional self-preservation.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design based on participant observation.
• Data collected from 15 distinct institutions for the mentally retarded.
• Analysis of institutional officials' responses to external critiques.

Main Results:

• Officials develop new 'legitimating myths' to justify institutional practices.
• Sophisticated impression-management techniques are used to control public perception.
• Detailed rationales are constructed to bridge the gap between stated goals and actual practices.
• These strategies are symbolic and crucial for the institution's struggle for survival.

Conclusions:

• Institutional officials actively engage in symbolic actions to counter criticism and ensure survival.
• The discrepancy between institutional goals and practices is managed through narrative and impression management.
• The study highlights the performative and symbolic nature of institutional legitimacy in the context of external challenges.