Personality is usually summarized in five traits - the so-called "big five": Emotional stability (neuroticism), extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness. Our personality then shapes our decision-making style. In a research study from Lund University, Swedish obstetricians' and gynecologists' personality profiles and clinical experience are linked for the first time to their decision-making styles in acute childbirth situations.
"Obstetricians and gynecologists have a personality profile that differs significantly from the population at large. On average, 85 percent of Sweden's population has significantly lower emotional stability, extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness than the obstetricians in our study. It's hard not to be surprised when the differences are so clear", says Petri Kajonius, associate professor of personality psychology and behavioral measurement at Lund University.
It is our personality that defines what we will enjoy in our professional life, and the consequence is likely a self-selection of people who seek a certain profession. Swedish obstetric-focused physicians' personalities make them comfortable in an environment where a childbirth situation can quickly shift to something acute and potentially escalate into a crisis. Here, traits such as emotional stability and conscientiousness are prominent.
Journal Reference:
Raoust, G., Kajonius, P. & Hansson, S. Personality traits and decision-making styles among obstetricians and gynecologists managing childbirth emergencies [open]. Sci Rep 13, 5607 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32658-6
How do you assess your own personal emotional stability. Are you excitable, or calm and methodical, or does it change frequently depending upon the current situation that you find yourself?
(Score: 3, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21, @03:55AM (1 child)
Obstetricians and gynecologists touch the poooosy and this has a very soothing effect. The data support this conclusion.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21, @01:06PM
It is one of the ways of becoming a stable genius.