Student: ……………..

Abstract

This study examines agreeableness and conscientiousness between undergraduate and postgraduate Psychology students. The Big Five factor model was measured using The Big Five Personality Inventory: Assessing the Big Five, to assess students’ personality traits and compare the variable groups. It was hypothesised that first year students would score significantly higher than postgraduate students on agreeableness yet lower on conscientiousness. The findings in this study indicated that undergraduate Psychology students are significantly more agreeable than the postgraduate Psychology students, however, no significant differences were found in the levels of conscientiousness between the two variables. This study is useful from a practical standpoint for future research. Further studies in this area are highly recommended.

Keywords: Big Five, personality, agreeableness, conscientiousness, undergraduate, postgraduate, Psychology, student.

Agreeableness and Conscientiousness: A comparison study between undergraduate and postgraduate Psychology students.

As highlighted by Weiten (2010), several studies have provided clear and convincing evidence that basic traits form the core of personality. Agreeableness (softhearted versus ruthless, trusting versus suspicious and helpful versus uncooperative) and conscientiousness (well organised versus disorganised, careful versus careless and selfdisciplined versus weak-willed), all form part of the five-factor model of personality otherwise known as the Big Five (McCrae and Costa, 1986).

Many studies involving personality and students have included the Big Five (Bernardin, Cooke, & Villanova, 2000; Dollinger & Leong, 1993; James et al., 2009; Lounsbury, Smith, Levy, Leong, & Gibson, 2009; Robins, Fraley, Roberts, & Trzesniewski, 2001). Despite the extensive amount of research using the Big Five, the study conducted by Bernardin et al. (2000), is the most recent to have focused on the traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness in students, which resulted in no significant differences being recorded. However, James et al. (2009) conducted a study on personality factors determined among high school leavers and graduate applicants and concluded that when compared, graduate applicants were significantly more conscientious. This finding was consistent with Robins et al. (2001) who used the Big Five to measure personality changes among students over a fouryear period and provided much needed data on personality changes in students. Robins et al. (2001) were able to identify that changes do occur among students over the course of their education and the differences are significant.

Although previous studies acknowledge the importance of highlighting certain Big Five personality traits in students, little has been done to compare the personality traits to variable groups of students, such as undergraduate students versus postgraduate students completing the same degree. The purpose of this research was to study the two separate

groups of students based on the Big Five model of personality factor analysis and determine whether significant differences could be identified between both groups in the area of agreeableness and conscientiousness.

As personality continues to impact everyday lives, research in this area is of great value. Determining significant differences in personality traits between undergraduate and postgraduate students will allow the educational system to identify and support students who lack the personality traits needed to successfully complete their Psychology course. It was hypothesised that first year students would score significantly higher than postgraduate students on agreeableness yet lower on conscientiousness.

Method

Participants

Undergraduate and postgraduate Bond University students were used in this study. The sample consisted of 720 Psychology students who consented to participate in the study after the purpose of the research was explained. The variable groups consisted of 450 firstyear undergraduate students and a comparison group of 270 postgraduate (2004-2009) Psychology students. The first year Psychology students’ mean age was 18.9 years with an age range of 17-55; The gender ratio was: F=360 and M=90. The comparison group had a mean age of 23.5 years with an age range of 18-60; gender: F=180 and M=90.

Materials

The Big Five Personality Inventory: Assessing the Big Five (ABF; Davidson & Neale, 1998). The ABF was used to measure students’ personalities. The ABF is a 20 item, five point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The ABF has clear instructions: ‘To what extent do you agree with the following statements?’ The inventory is designed to collect quantitative data, which assesses the subjective behaviour traits of a person. It consists of a set of 20 statements. For example, ‘I’m known as