Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-2 | Issue-12 | 1265-1272
Original Research Article
Personality Traits, Cognitive Styles and Academic Success of Secondary School Students in Ondo State
W. O. Adeniyi
Published : Dec. 30, 2017
Abstract
The study investigated the academic success of secondary school
students in Ondo State. The study employed the survey design technique. The
population for the study consisted of secondary school students III in Ondo State.
The sample of 500 students was selected using simple random sampling technique.
Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were selected from the three senatorial
district in Ondo State using simple random sampling technique. Fifteen secondary
schools were selected from the three LGAs using simple random sampling
technique. Thereafter, 500 students were selected across the 15 schools using intact
class of the senior secondary school students III. An adapted instrument titled
“Personality Traits, Cognitive Styles and Academic Success Questionnaire”
(PCAQ) containing four sections was used to collect data from the respondents.
Data collected were analysed percentage, Pearson product correlation coefficient
and multiple regressions. The results showed that 40.8% of the students possessed
high level of academic success; 34.0% had moderate level while the remaining
25.2% of students demonstrated low level of academic success. The results showed
that neuroticism with 45.4% was the prevalent trait among the students. Also, the
results showed that 68.4% of the students employed field dependent cognitive
style. Again, the results showed positive and significant relationship between
openness (r = 0.991; p < 0.05); conscientiousness (r = 0.991; p < 0.05),
extraversion (r = 0.989; p < 0.05), agreeableness (r = 0.984; p < 0.05) and
neuroticism (r = 0.984; p < 0.05) and academic success of students. Further, it was
showed that field dependent cognitive style had negative and significant
relationship at (r = - 0.477; p < 0.05) while field independent cognitive style had
positive and significant relationship (r = 0.989; p < 0.05). The results revealed that
openness (t = 6.12; = 0.41); conscientiousness (t = -455; = -024), extraversion
(t = 9.1; = 0.28); agreeableness (t = 1.66; = 0.047) and neuroticism (t = 1.92;
= 0.055). Also, the results for cognitive styles showed that field dependent (t = -
11.03; = -.069) and field independent yielded (t = 7.12; = 0.00). While the
results of openness, extraversion and neuroticism were significant at 0.05 level of
confidence, values of agreeableness and conscientiousness were not significant.
Also, both field dependent and field independent cognitive styles were significant
at 0.05 level of confidence. It was concluded that more students demonstrated
neurotic trait and few had high level of academic success.