Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica (Sep 2013)
Selected personality traits and achievement motivation in university students of physical culture, education and natural sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding personality variables and other important psychological traits in the university population appears topical particularly with respect to personality, motivation, health as well as overall academic achievement. A significant role is played by correlations of the monitored variables in relation to selected study specialization. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the present study is to extend the knowledge on selected personality traits and the level of achievement motivation in a specific group of university students with respect to the diversity of their study specialization. METHODS: The study included a total of 522 students from Palacký University. These were students from the Faculty of Physical Culture (n = 118), Faculty of Education (n = 218) and Faculty of Science (n = 186). In terms of age, the study focused on young adults aged 19 to 26. In the research, psychodiagnostic methods were used to perform diagnostics and to fulfil the overall research plan. All diagnostic methods used are fully standardized and contain domestic normative values. We monitored variables such as personality, achievement motivation and achievement anxiety. Statistical result processing was conducted using the Statgraphics programme v. 9.0. Result processing was made using parametric as well as non-parametric statistical methods (Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman’s correlation). RESULTS: University students specialized in physical culture showed the highest values of extraversion and psychoticism, and clearly the lowest values of neuroticism compared to the students of education and natural sciences. The highest values of openness were observed in the students specialized in sports. In terms of the overall achievement motivation related to study specialization, almost identical values were observed. However, the students of physical culture showed significantly lower values of achievement debilitating anxiety than the students of education and natural sciences (p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: The present study deals with a psychological analysis of personality traits and achievement motivation in a sample of university students based on various study specializations. It appears that there are variances in personality traits among students of physical culture, education and natural sciences. On the contrary, in case of achievement motivation, the differences are negligible. The study falls within the category of differential diagnostics and the results can be applied in university psychological counselling.
