Abstract
Objective and Subjective Personality Characteristics of Medical Students
Heather Anderson Meit
The present study viewed personality characteristics of medical students using both objective
(i.e., a valid and reliable psychological instrument) and subjective methods (i.e., medical
students' self-ratings of how they viewed themselves and how they believed others viewed
them). The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF, 5th Edition) and a researcher developed
instrument, the Subjective Rating Form (SRF), were utilized in this study. Significant differences
were found in 16PF scores from entry to medical school (Time 1) to exit from medical school
(Time 2). Significant differences were also observed when SRF scores were compared between
Self at Time 1 (retrospectively), Self at Time 2, and self-ratings made from the perspective of
Other. Most striking were differences between 16PF and SRF scores when compared with each
other, at both Time 1 and Time 2. This last group of findings translated into differences between
the actual and perceived self (i.e., real vs. ideal). The implications of such differences are
discussed.