Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Union Christian College, Aluva, Kerala
Online published on 8 October, 2013.
Gender difference is a prominent feature not only in human beings but also in every species. Personality is one of the most important psychological dimensions that contribute to what make an individual unique as well as classify him/her under a common class.
To find out (a) Gender difference in the dimension of personality as explained by the Big Five personality theory and (b) The dimension that is dominant in each gender.
The participants consist of 150 adults (75 males and 75 females) selected randomly from Trivandrum district, who had no diagnosed physical or psychological illness. The participants belonged to the age group ranging from 20 to 60 years. The tool Five Factor Personality Inventory was developed and standardized in the Kerala population and consists of five sections measuring five dimensions of personality viz., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience.
Analysis done using t-test showed significant difference between males and females (p<.01) on extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience. On neuroticism no gender difference was observed. While males were dominant over females on extraversion, agreeableness and openness to experience, females were dominant on conscientiousness.
Gender difference is prominent in the expression of psychological characteristics of personality.
Agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, gender equality, neuroticism, openness to experience, personality
