engleski

Moral reasoning, machiavelianism and deception among medical students entering a science course

AIM: To investigate moral reasoning and some characteristics, possibly critical for future research integrity, of second year medical students entering a science methodology course. METHOD: Second year medical students (n=208 ; 129 female) filled the Defining Issues Test (DIT2), Machiavelianism scales and Deception scales at the beginning of the science methodology course. DIT2 scores were compared to the mean score of american sample of sophmores (n=1028). Sex differences were investigated, as well as relationships of these variables. FINDINGS: Students scored around the middle of the possible range on both, Machiavelianism scales (MDecieving=23.9&plusmn ; ; 4.61 ; MAmorality=19.6&plusmn ; ; 4.29 ; MCinicism=18.7&plusmn ; ; 4.37 ; MFlattering=18.8&plusmn ; ; 4.37 ; range 6 &#8211; 30), and Deception scales (MSelf-deception=11.5&plusmn ; ; 3.81 ; possible range 0 &#8211; 24 ; MImpression management=9.5&plusmn ; ; 3.55 ; possible range 0 &#8211; 20). Croatian medical students obtained higher N2-score than the sample of american sophmores (MN2cro=35.8&plusmn ; ; 11.28, MN2usa=31.2&plusmn ; ; 14.94 ; p<0.001, one sample t-test). Female students obtained higher N2-score on the DIT2 than their male peers (p<0.001, independent samples t-test), but also scored higher on &#8220; Decieving&#8221; (p=0.037, independent samples t-test) and &#8220; Impression management&#8221; (p=0.044, independent samples t-test). Male students scored higher on &#8220; Self-deception&#8221; (p=0.041, independent samples t-test). Significant correlation was found between &#8220; Decieving&#8221; and &#8220; Impression management&#8221; (r=0.33, p<0.001), as well as between &#8220; Flattering&#8221; and &#8220; Impression management&#8221; scores (r=0.17, p=0.035). No correlations were found between scores on Machiavelianism or Deception scales and DIT scores. CONCLUSIONS: Female students were more advanced in moral reasoning than their male peers, but also more prone to use social strategies that involve manipulation. Moral reasoning showed to be independent from constructs such as Machiavelianism, Self-deception and Impression management.

moral reasoning; machiavelianism; socially desirable responding

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