Ritual Evaluation of Competence

Abstract

Neophyte uncertainty and adaptations to it are themes found in studies of socialization into various professions. Students experience ritual ordeals of uncertainty and perceive that professionalization involves learning to enact a symbolic role that meets others' expectations. For students, both in traditional medical schools and in an innovative school we studied, professionalization involves selective learning and careful self-presentations to convince legitimating audiences of an appropriately developing competence and trustworthiness. It is argued that students we studied display such professionalization somewhat earlier in their careers than do students in traditional programs.