Personality traits linked to high college grade point averages

[TexasTowelie]

Rice University researchers say there is a link between a personality trait and high grade point averages among college students.

A recent study examines research that analyzes how the "big five" personality traits - agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience - affect college grade point averages.

The researchers discovered a link between higher levels of conscientiousness and high grade point averages. No correlation to grade point average was discovered with the other personality traits.

Sam McAbee, a psychology graduate student at Rice and the study's lead author, said the new study could be used among college admission offices and employers, who use personality tests to measure potential for success.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Personality-traits-linked-to-high-college-grade-4367717.php .

[pscot]

1. IOW, people who get 'A"s are driven

[JDPriestly]

2. conscientiousness??? It took research to determine that is the key

to good grades in college???

What else could be the key to good grades at Rice?

You have to be smart to get in. So it's a pretty even playing field in that respect. What other factor could consistently make a difference?

Happy to hear they are finally telling the kids the truth. You have to work hard to succeed in school. Finally. But I don't think some sort of study was needed to know this.

[Igel]

3. Works the same in high school.

Oddly, a lot of students, esp. with less-educated parents, are convinced that it's other factors.

Only intelligence matters. It lets those less conscientious off the hook--they're just not "born smart." Not their fault.

Or it's luck. The less conscientious can't be held responsible for a lack of luck, can they? Not their fault.

Or because the teacher likes you. For those for whom personal relationships are everything--possibly because that's all they have--this makes an odd sort of sense. Project much? Sure! It's all who you know, anyway.

Or they simply think that you have to be really neurotic--sick, in other words--to get good grades. It's making getting good grades into a pathology, and who wants to have an illness?

M'eh.