Personality and Learning Approaches as Predictors of University Student's Academic Performance

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics, learning approaches and students’ academic performance. For this, 371 students of human sciences (259 females and 112 males) from Payam-e-Noor University– Tabriz branch were randomly selected, using stratified and multiple stage cluster sampling. Big Five Inventory, Approaches and Study Skills Inventory were completed by these students and total average of students was considered as their academic performance index. The Pearson’s Correlation Test, hierarchical multiple regression analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The Results showed that there is a positive and meaningful correlation between conscientiousness personality characteristics, strategic learning approach and students’ academic performance, but the relationship between surface learning approaches and students’ academic performance were negative and meaningful. The Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the direct effect of conscientiousness on academic performance disappeared when introducing the strategic approaches in the second step. There were two significant predictors of academic performance in this analysis: strategic approach (with positive Beta value) and surface approach (with negative Beta value). The result of path analysis showed that indirect effect of conscientiousness personality characteristics on academic performance were mediated by the strategic approach.