Research Article

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ BIG-FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS BASED ON DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Volume: 17 February 25, 2026
TR EN

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ BIG-FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS BASED ON DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether university students’ Big Five personality traits differ significantly based on demographic variables such as gender, age, academic year, and income level. In this study, a comparative survey model was adopted. Data were systematically collected through a questionnaire technique from 450 university students representing diverse demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics”, “independent samples t-test, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were used in the analysis process. According to the results, the dimensions of extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience, and neuroticism showed statistically significant differences based on gender, with female students scoring higher than their male counterparts in these dimensions. Significant differences were also found in extraversion and agreeableness according to age, in extraversion according to academic year, and again in extraversion based on income level. These findings suggest that personality traits may be influenced by certain demographic variables, highlighting the importance of considering individual differences within the context of higher education.

Keywords

Big-Five Personality Model , Demographic Variables , University Students

References

  1. Allport, G. W. (1937). Personality: A psychological interpretation. New York: Henry Holt.
  2. Alpar, R. (2021). Uygulamalı çok değişkenli istatistiksel yöntemler, 6. Baskı. Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık.
  3. Allport, G. W., & Odbert, H. S. (1936). Trait-names: A psycho-lexical study. Psychological Monographs, 47 (Whole No. 211), 1–171. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093360.
  4. Bacanlı, H., İlhan, T., & Aslan, S. (2009). Beş faktör kişilik kuramına dayalı bir kişilik envanterinin geliştirilmesi: Sıfatlara dayalı kişilik testi (SDKT). Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 261–279. https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.681101.
  5. Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The big five personality dimensions and job performance: A meta‐analysis. Personnel Psychology, 44(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744 6570.1991.tb00688.
  6. Benet-Martínez, V., & John, O. P. (1998). Los cinco grandes across cultures and ethnic groups: Multitrait-multimethod analyses of the big five in spanish and english. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75(3), 729. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.75.3.729.
  7. Borgatta, E. F. (1964). The structure of personality characteristics. Behavioral Science, 9(1), 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/bs.3830090103.
  8. Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2020). Sosyal bilimler için veri analizi el kitabı: istatistik, araştırma deseni, spss uygulamaları ve yorum. Ankara: Pegem Akademi Yayıncılık. https://doi.org/10.14527/9789756802748.
  9. Cattell, R. B. (1946). The description and measurement of personality. Yonkers-on-Hudson, NY: World Book.
  10. Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised neo personality ınventory (neo pı-r) and neo five-factor ınventory (neo-ffı) professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849200479.n9.
APA
Kurnaz, G. (2026). COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ BIG-FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS BASED ON DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES. Journal of Academic Approaches, 17, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.54688/ayd.1752880