Influence of personality trait on the academic performance of pupils in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State

                       ABSTRACT

This study examined the influence of personality traits on the academic performance of pupils in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. Personality traits in this study examined Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism.

There are two hundred and forty three (243) private primary schools and fifty nine public primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State out of which seven private primary schools and seven public primary schools were selected. Three hundred and seventy eight (378) public and private primary six pupils were randomly selected. The research instruments used for data gathering was a researcher’s designed questionnaire and performance test titled ‘Pupils Questionnaire on Personality Trait’ (PQPT) and ‘Pupils Academic Achievement Test’ (PAAT) with the reliability index of 0.82 and 0.71 respectively. Five research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count for demographic information of respondents and linear regression was used to test the stated hypotheses. 

The findings of the study revealed that personality traits significantly influenced the academic performance of pupils. The personality traits of Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism had positive influence on the academic performance of pupils in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that Seminars/workshop should be arranged by a psychologist or a counselor for teachers and pupils about personality traits and their Influence on the academic performance.

              TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front Page ----------------------------------------i

Certification ------------------------------------ii 

Dedication --------------------------------------iii 

Acknowledgement--------------------------iv 

Table of Contents-----------------------------v 

Abstract------------------------------------------vi 

Chapter One: Introduction 

Background to the Study -----------------1 

Statement of the Problem ---------------9 

Significance of the Study --------------10 

Purpose of the Study --------------------11 

Research Hypotheses --------------------12

Scope of the Study ------------------------12 

Operational Definition of Terms ----13 

Chapter Two: Review of the Related Literature 

Theoretical framework for the study 

Psychoanalytic Theory by Sigmund Freud----------------------------------------------14

Conceptual framework 

The concept of personality ------------27

Types of personality trait ---------------30

Personality traits and academic performance ----------------------------------37

Empirical Framework

Personality Trait and Academic Performance ----------------------------------39

Appraisal of the literature review-40

Chapter Three: Research Methodology 

Research Design ---------------------------42

Population of the Study------------------43

Sample and Sampling Technique --43 

Research Instrument --------------------44 

Validity of the Instrument -------------45 

Reliability of the Instrument ----------45 

Procedure for Data Collection ------45 

Method of Data Analysis --------------46 

Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Results 

Demographic Variables ----------------47 

Hypotheses Testing ----------------------49 

Discussion of Findings -----------------54 

Chapter Five: Summary of Major Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations

Summary of Major Findings-----------56

Conclusion ------------------------------------56 

Recommendations -----------------------56 

Suggestion for Further Study --------57 

References ------------------------------------59 

Appendix I -------------------------------------73 

Appendix II -------------------------------------76

 Appendix III -----------------------------------79