Does Personality Matter? Applying Holland's Typology to Analyze Students' Self-Selection into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Majors

Abstract

This study utilized John Holland's personality typology and the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to examine the factors that may affect students' self-selection into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Results indicated that gender, race/ethnicity, high school achievement, and personality type were statistically significant factors in increasing or decreasing a student's odds of enrolling in a STEM major. Specifically, students with a strong investigative personality were more likely to enroll in STEM majors, while those with a strong artistic personality or enterprising personality were less likely to do so. Males with a strong social personality also tended not to choose STEM majors, though social personality had a positive effect on whether females chose STEM majors. Implications of the findings for policymakers, educators, and administrators were explored.