Student Temperament Assessment And Its Relationship With The Selection Of Accounting As A Major

Personality tests have long been utilized to assist in the assessment of individuals. This study analyzes David Keirsey's temperament types and college students intending to major in accounting. The recruiting and retaining of students with qualities and characteristics desired by the accounting profession has historically presented a challenge for accounting departments in higher education (Corkren, Parks, and Morgan, 2013). Relationships were used to determine similarities between various traits of the respondents. Gender, having taken an accounting related high school course, accounting-related work experience and level of college education were all compared with the expectations of Keirsey's temperament types. Students attending a small liberal arts teaching university (Concord University in Athens, West Virginia) and students attending a large research institution (Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia) were used for the study.

A quantitative research design was used to conduct this study. Descriptive statistics were utilized to determine frequencies, averages and variability. Chi-square (χ²) analyzed the number of responses in different temperament categories to determine if actual results were significantly different in determining accounting as a major field of study. Students completed a survey consisting of demographic characteristics and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS II) questionnaire. Personality assessments are increasingly used as a management tool. The findings of this study can benefit employers, college recruiters, educators and students.