The effects of educational experiences on personality trait development

Jackson, Joshua J.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/26149 Copy

Description

Title

The effects of educational experiences on personality trait development

Author(s)

Jackson, Joshua J.

Issue Date

2011-08-25T22:16:21Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Roberts, Brent W.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Roberts, Brent W.

Committee Member(s)

• Fraley, R.C.
• Pomerantz, Eva M.
• Rounds, James
• Verona, Edelyn

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Personality
• personality development
• Big Five
• Traits
• latent growth models
• education

Abstract

Recent research suggests that educational experiences lead to positive outcomes for reasons other than gains in cognitive abilities. Specifically, non-cognitive skills (i.e. personality traits) may change as a result of educational experiences (Heckman et al., 2010). To date, the idea that educational experiences contribute to changes in personality traits has received very little empirical support. The current study examines the relationship between educational experiences and personality trait development in a large German sample across four waves beginning in high school and throughout college. Findings suggest that personality traits in high school predict the type of educational experiences students have in college. Secondly, a number of educational experiences are associated with changes in personality traits. For example, going to class and spending more time on one’s homework is associated with increases in conscientiousness while having fewer stressful experiences are associated with decreases in neuroticism. Similarly, changes in educational experiences are associated with changes in personality traits, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between educational experiences and personality traits. Finally, a series of auto-regressive and auto-regressive latent trajectory (ALT) models found evidence that educational experiences can lead to changes in personality traits and vice-versa. Overall, this study suggests that educational contexts are important for the development of personality traits. Viewed in this light, one learns more in school than just class material.

Graduation Semester

2011-08

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/26149

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2011 Joshua J. Jackson

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