An Examination of Learner Self-Direction in Relation to the Big Five and Narrow Personality Traits

Jeral R. Kirwan, John W. Lounsbury and Lucy W. Gibson

SAGE Open, 2014, vol. 4, issue 2, 2158244014534857

Abstract: The present study addresses the relationship between learner self-direction and other personality traits of college students when the traits represented by the five-factor model of personality are differentiated from narrow personality traits. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used with a sample of 2,102 college students to examine the unique individual relationship between Big Five and narrow personality traits and learner self-direction. Analysis of the data revealed five significant part correlations between specific traits and learner self-direction. The part correlations for Work Drive (.310) and Openness (.207) were significantly higher than all other part correlations. Neither Conscientiousness nor Agreeableness had significant part correlations despite having significant zero-order correlations with learner self-direction. Extroversion did not have a significant zero-order correlation with learner self-direction but the part correlation was significant. Results were discussed in terms of the predictive relationship between personality variables and learner self-direction. Study implications, some limitations, and possible directions for future research were noted.

Keywords: personality; self-directed learning; the five-factor model; individual differences; traits; unique variance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:4:y:2014:i:2:p:2158244014534857

DOI: 10.1177/2158244014534857

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