Professional socialization in pharmacy

Abstract

This paper presents the findings resulting from one portion of a broad study relating to the socialization of pharmacy students. Of specific interest in this component of the study was an analysis of the values demonstrated by the objects and agents of socialization in pharmacy on the Study of Values. The Study of Values was administered to preceptors and faculty persons in pharmacy and students representing four academic class levels. It was found that the socialization process in pharmacy does not alter the value structuring of student groups in terms of movement away from or toward those values held by preceptors and faculty. Independent differences between preceptors and students on the AESTHETIC, SOCIAL and RELIGIOUS value scales were detected. Furthermore, preceptors differed from faculty on their response to the SOCIAL value scale. However, these differences did not seem to contribute to a differential socialization pattern among students.