Ethnic identity and personality traits as correlated of openness to diversity ETHNIC IDENTITY AND THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS AS CORRELATES OF OPENNESS TO DIVERSITY OF GRADUATING STUDENTS AT DEBRE BERHAN UNIVERSITY, ETHIOPIA

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.