University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The effects of educational experiences on personality trait development

Jackson, Joshua J.

Content Files
Jackson_Joshua.pdf

Permalink

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

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
Date of Ingest
2011-08-25T22:16:21Z
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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