An Examination of Learner Self-Direction in Relation to the Big Five and Narrow Personality Traits

The present study addresses the relationship between learnerself-direction and other personality traits of college students when the traitsrepresented by the five-factor model of personality are differentiated from narrowpersonality traits. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used with a sampleof 2,102 college students to examine the unique individual relationship between Big Fiveand narrow personality traits and learner self-direction. Analysis of the data revealedfive significant part correlations between specific traits and learner self-direction.The part correlations for Work Drive (.310) and Openness (.207) were significantlyhigher than all other part correlations. Neither Conscientiousness nor Agreeableness hadsignificant part correlations despite having significant zero-order correlations withlearner self-direction. Extroversion did not have a significant zero-order correlationwith learner self-direction but the part correlation was significant. Results werediscussed in terms of the predictive relationship between personality variables andlearner self-direction. Study implications, some limitations, and possible directionsfor future research were noted