A survey of medical students found that most believe the surgical specialty has its own clearly defined "masculine" subculture, and that to succeed as surgeons, individuals need to "adopt masculine characteristics." These beliefs best reflect which aspect of surgical medical education?

Question

A survey of medical students found that most believe the surgical specialty has its own clearly defined "masculine" subculture, and that to succeed as surgeons, individuals need to "adopt masculine characteristics."  These beliefs best reflect which aspect of surgical medical education?

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11ecba2d_0d7a_a9a0_a3bf_f725ecc87c1e_MD0008_00 Social institutions (eg, family, religion) are enduring, organized systems that outline behavioral norms and fulfill a purpose in society. The education system, a social institution that meets society's need to transfer knowledge and skills, is composed of both a formal and a hidden curriculum. The formal curriculum includes the explicit, official content taught to students (eg, how to solve algebra equations). The hidden curriculum includes the implied, informal mechanisms by which certain values and behaviors are promoted; for example, an algebra teacher who calls mainly on male students is reinforcing a stereotype that boys are better at math than girls. Survey results indicating that the surgical specialty has a "masculine" subculture, such that "masculine characteristics" are needed for success, best reflect the hidden curriculum of surgical medical education. (Choice A) Teacher expectancy occurs when a teacher's beliefs about a student (eg, "she is smart," "he is lazy") result in the student meeting those expectations (eg, excelling or performing poorly). This is thought to occur as a result of the teacher's behavior toward the student. The survey results do not reflect teacher expectancy. (Choice B) Functionalism, a macro-sociological theory comparing society to a biological organism, contends that social institutions have manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions. The survey results reflect a latent (not manifest) aspect of surgical medical education. (Choice D) Material culture refers to the physical items a group of people create, use, and/or interact with (eg, clothing, technology), whereas symbolic (nonmaterial) aspects of culture (eg, language, values) are intangible. The survey results reflect symbolic (not material) aspects of surgical subculture. Educational objective: The education system's hidden curriculum includes implied, informal mechanisms by which certain values and behaviors are reinforced, whereas the formal curriculum includes explicit, official content taught to students.

A Survey of Medical Students Found That Most Believe the Surgical