Conference paper

"CLAW YOUR WAY" - MACHIAVELLIANISM AMONG THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY

Agnieszka Bratek ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Magdalena Bonk ; Students’ Scientific Society, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Weronika Bulska ; Students’ Scientific Society, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Kinga Tyrała ; Students’ Scientific Society, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Mariusz Seweryn ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Krzysztof Krysta ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland

Abstract

Background: Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by emotional detachment and tendency to manipulate others
to achieve one's own goal. It is presumed that people high in Machiavellianism would more likely choose business-related occupations,
whereas low Machiavellians would prefer helping professions, therefore medical professionals are expected to be low-Machs.
Subjects and methods: This is a questionnaire study on 509 respondents: medical school candidates (16.1%), medical students
(65%), medical trainees (9.8%), residents (6.3%) and specialists (2.8%) aimed at assessing the level of Machiavellianism, as
measured with Mach-IV score, a self-report questionnaire.
Results: The overall mean Mach-IV score was 59.24±6.07. The highest mean Mach-IV score, 61.80±6.94, was found in the group
of medical school candidates. The lowest mean Mach-IV score, 57.61±7.88, was reported in the group of registered specialists. Male
gender was found to be positively correlated with the mean Mach-IV score, which in women was 58.97±6.08 and in men it was
60.16±6.01. There was a negative correlation between the mean Mach-IV score and the age of post-graduate participants. When we
divided all participants into subgroups of "low Machs" (<60 points) and " high Machs" (≥60 points), we found that both subgroups
were similarly numerous - 49.5% and 50.5%, accordingly. The highest representation of "high Machs" was found in the subgroup of
medical studies candidates (65.85%), then in the students (47.73%) and in the group of post-graduates (45.16%). Gender differences
remained statistically significant - 47.33% of women and 60.18% of men were "high Machs".
Conclusions: Machiavellianism level among medical candidates, students and doctors is relatively high, however is gradually
decreasing with the progress of career.

Keywords

Machiavellianism; dark triad; medical students; Mach-IV

Hrčak ID:

264563

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/264563

Publication date:

8.9.2015.

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