Impact of Personality Traits on Achievement Motivation Among Undergraduate Students
Abstract
The present study examines the impact of personality traits on achievement motivation among undergraduate students. Using the Five-Factor Model, the study explores how traits like conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness influence students' drive to succeed academically. A sample of 560 undergraduate students from colleges affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, was selected through a random sampling method. Data were collected using the Achievement Motivation Scale and the Big Five Personality Inventory. The findings reveal that conscientiousness and agreeableness significantly enhance achievement motivation, with conscientious students demonstrating strong goal-setting and perseverance. Conversely, neuroticism negatively impacts motivation due to emotional instability and fear of failure. Extraversion and openness show no significant effects, suggesting that their influence may be context-dependent. The results underscore the importance of personality-based interventions in academic settings. Strategies such as emotional regulation training and structured goal-setting programs can help students, particularly those with high neuroticism or low conscientiousness, improve their academic performance. The study highlights the need for educators and policymakers to consider personality traits when designing instructional methods to foster student success.
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