Selected demographic and personality variables related to mathematical achievement in men and women

Abstract

This study had three major objectives. The first was to determine whether a relationship existed between certain student personality variables and achievement in mathematics. The second was to determine if any relationships existed between a number of student background characteristics and achievement in mathematics. The third objective was to determine if variables that did show a relationship to mathematical achievement differed between female and male subjects. Personality variables were measured using the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale, and the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. Background characteristics were determined by use of a questionnaire developed for that specific purpose. Achievement in mathematics was determined by a student's score on the Algebra III and the Trigonometry sections of the Cooperative Mathematics Tests. The population of the study consisted of students enrolled in all first semester calculus classes at Texas A&M University during the fall semester, 1978. The final sample consisted of 1420 students who volunteered to participate and who returned useable packets. There were 1048 male subjects and 372 female subjects. Personality variables were found which correlated with achievement in mathematics, however, neither the Rokeach nor the Rotter Scale had any significant correlations. Factors of the 16 PF which correlated with achievement on one or both of the mathematics tests for females were those of Reserved, More-intelligent, Timid, and Self-sufficient. Factors correlating for males were those of More intelligent and Self-controlled. There were definite differences in the relationship between mathematical achievement and personality variables for male and female subjects. A number of demographic variables along with Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores were found which correlated significantly with achievement in Algebra and Trigonometry for both female and male subjects...