Abstract:

Aim: To examine the academic perfectionism and cognitive flexibility levels of medical school students. In addition, the relationship between academic perfectionism and cognitive flexibility level was also examined. Methods: This research was carried out with medical faculty students studying at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine in the 2021-2022 academic year. 414 students participated in the research. Data were obtained with the academic perfectionism scale and the cognitive flexibility scale. Students' academic perfectionism and cognitive flexibility levels were summarized with descriptive statistics such as arithmetic mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values. The relationship between students' academic perfectionism and cognitive flexibility levels was examined by making appropriate statistical analyzes. Comparison analyzes according to the gender of the students and the periods they studied were made with the two-way ANOVA (factorial ANOVA) test. Bonferroni multiple comparison test was used to determine significant differences. Results: It was determined that the academic perfectionism levels of the medical faculty students were at a moderate level. Cognitive flexibility levels of medical faculty students are high. A significant, low and negative relationship was determined between the cognitive flexibility levels of medical school students and their academic perfectionism levels. Academic perfectionism mean scores of female students are higher than male students. Academic perfectionism mean scores of term 5 students are lower than term 2, 3 and 4 students. Cognitive flexibility mean scores of male students are higher than female students. Cognitive flexibility mean scores of term 5 students are lower than term 1, 3 and 4 students. Cognitive flexibility mean scores of term 2 students are lower than term 4 students. Conclusions: Academic perfectionism levels of medical faculty students are moderate. The cognitive flexibility level of medical faculty students is high. Medical school female students were found to be more perfectionistic than male students, but males had higher cognitive flexibility than females. Increasing grade level can decrease cognitive flexibility.

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