Self-Reported Influences on Psychology Major Choice and Personality

Author(s): Heath Marrs, Melissa R. Barb, Julie C. Ruggiero

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65030/idr.05023

Abstract: In order to better understand student decisions to major in psychology, 110 undergraduate psychology majors and 58 students from a variety of academic majors completed a survey of influences on college major choice and the Big Five Personality Inventory (John & Srivastava, 1999). Psychology majors were less likely than non-psychology majors to report being influenced by job preparation concerns, opportunity for a good salary, encouragement of a family member, and past experiences. In addition, male psychology majors scored significantly higher than non-psychology majors on the big five trait of openness to experience. The relevance of these findings for the changing gender composition among undergraduate psychology majors is discussed.

Keywords: College major choice; Psychology students; Influences on education; Big Five personality traits; Openness to experience; Individual differences; Gender differences

Pages: 289-299

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