Personality Traits across Academic Majors and Gender in University Students

Abstract

Personality influences multiple areas of an individual’s life. The personality traits have been reported to vary across gender, academic majors and age, based on Western literature. This study aimed to look at the differences amongst personality traits across academic majors and gender in Pakistani undergraduate students. The sample consisted of 300 students (130 men, 170 women). It was hypothesized that there will be differences in personality traits(Agreeableness, Open Mindedness, Negative Emotionality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness) across academic majors (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, business).The results supported previous literature as it was reported that Business students scored higher on Extraversion than Social Science students, whereas Agreeableness and Open Mindedness scores were found to be higher in Social Science students than Business students. Itwas also hypothesized that there would be differencesin personality traits(Agreeableness, Open Mindedness, Negative Emotionality, Extraversion,Conscientiousness) across gender.Agreeableness, Open Mindedness and Negative Emotionality scores were foundto be higher in women than men, while no differences were found in Conscientiousness and Extraversion scores. Further research needs to be conducted in Pakistan.