Relationship between Students’ Personality Traits and their Academic Achievement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Theoretical framework of this study based on Big Five Personality Trait Theory (Cattell’s & Eysenck’s 1973). Objectives of the study were: i) to find out different personality traits (as described in five factor theory) of secondary school students. ii) to identify the relationship between students different personality traits and their academic achievement iii) to give recommendations to improve the situation and for further research. Descriptive survey design was used for this study. All the secondary school students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constituted population of the study. Out of 25 districts 2 districts were randomly selected (Bannu & Lakki Marwat). Out of 12009 students who were studying in the secondary schools of these districts 800 students of 10th class were selected through multistage random sampling method using proportional allocation technique as a sample of the study. A self developed questionnaire was used as a research instrument. Personally collected data was entered in SPSS-16. Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were applied as statistical test to achieve the objectives of the study. Results of the study revealed that “conscientiousness” and “agreeableness” personality traits were found high while “extroversion”, “neuroticism” and “openness to experience” personality traits were found low in secondary school students. Overall there was no significant relationship found between the students’ personality traits and their academic achievement. The researcher recommended that students having contentiousness personality trait can produce better result in Maths and Islamic Education subjects. So the students having contentiousness personality trait should take Maths and Islamic Education as optional subjects to produce better result. Students having agreeableness personality trait can produce better result in English, Islamiyat Compulsory, Chemistry and Islamic Education subjects. So the students having agreeableness personality trait should take English, Islamiyat Compulsory, Chemistry and Islamic Education as optional subject to produce better results. Seminars/workshop may be arranged for students and teacher about personality traits and their impact on students’ academic achievement.