Comparing personality traits and undergraduate student enrollment choices in adventure-based courses vs. non-adventure-based courses at Northeastern State University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare personality traits of undergraduate students who chose to enroll in adventure-based (a-b) courses vs. undergraduate students who chose to enroll in non-adventure= based (n-a) courses at Northeastern State University. Although prior research has been conducted concerning college students and personality, little has research has been conducted addressing the possible link between college student’s personality traits and specific course selection. The sample is made up of 269 respondents, 64 reported enrolling only in a-b courses, while 205 reported enrolling in n-a courses at NSU. All respondents completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI). The BFI is designed to measure the Big Five Personality Traits: Openness to New Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). 5 independent sample T-tests were performed in order to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in the means of the subcategories. A Bonferroni adjusted alpha of .05 was used to control for type I error (.05.5=.01).

This statistical analysis indicated that NSU students who enrolled in a-b courses scored significantly higher in Extraversion than NSU students who enrolled in n-a courses. The analysis also indicated that NSU students who enrolled in a-b courses scored significantly lower in the area of Neuroticism than students who enrolled only in n-a courses. The research did not indicate a significant difference in Openness to New Experience, Conscientiousness, or Agreeableness between the two groups. The implications of this research in practice can include targeting specific personality traits as it relates to specific college courses, more efficient advisement of college students based on personality traits, and planning and development of new courses or programs. Future research may include personality traits and enrollment choices across gender or ethnicity.