Abstract:
Personality and ethnic identity play a crucial role in openness to diversity. The objective of this
study was to explore the relationship between ethnic identity, Big Five personality traits, and
openness to diversity among students at Debre Berhan University. The study employed a
correlational research design, and a stratified random sampling method was used to select 321
participants. Data were collected through close-ended questionnaires, and the analysis included
frequency, percentage, Pearson correlation, multiple regressions, one-way ANOVA, and
independent sample t-test. The study's findings showed that ethnic identity and Big Five
personality traits are related to openness to diversity. The multiple regression results showed
that ethnic identity explains 83% of the variance in students' openness and significant predicts
openness to diversity, personality traits (extraversion and openness) significantly predict
openness to diversity whereas agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism are not
significant predictors of openness to diversity. Regarding the strongest predictors, based on beta
value, extraversion is the strongest positive predictor of openness to diversity (B =.429, t = 7.67,
p = 0.000), followed by openness (B=.223,t=3.84,p=0.000), neuroticism(B=.098,t=1.87,p
=.061), Agreeableness (B=0.056, t=0.843, p=0.400) whereas conscientiousness is the least
negative predictor of openness to diversity (B = -.002, t = 0.03, p =.976). Openness to diversity
based on Gender and age are no statistically significant differences. According to the study's
results, the researcher recommended students showing extraversion, agreeable and openness
traits tend to exhibit more openness to diversity. Therefore, the researcher recommended that
Debere Berhan University organize seminars or workshops for students and teachers to explore
how personality traits and ethnic identity impact openness to diversity.
