Study #1: "The Relationship Between Cognitive Dissonance and the Big 5 Model of the Personality and Academic Achievement in a Sample of Female Students at the University of Umm Al Qura"
A study was done in 2012 to examine how cognitive dissonance is related to female personality, specifically using The Big Five model (Al Otaibi et al.). To examine this, researchers used the cognitive dissonance scale combined with certain aspects of The Big Five scale, to see what impact the personality factors had on academic achievement, as well as how cognitive dissonance directed personality traits (Al Otaibi et al.). Cognitive dissonance is the idea that when there is a disconnect between a person's behaviors and actions, the person is mentally uncomfortable. This is because their behaviors are not in line with their morals and beliefs, and the human mind naturally craves balance (Al Otaibi et al).
The results of this study were quite interesting. It was discovered that there is a direct positive correlation between neuroticism and high cognitive dissonance in women (Al Otaibi et al.). Also, researchers found that in situations when a woman is experiencing high cognitive dissonance, a woman's academic achievement is hindered. This is because of the mental tension dissonance creates (Al Otaibi et al.). Finally, this study was important because scientists established that in women there is an inverse relationship between conscientiousness and extroversion (Al Otaibi et al.). This means that women with high levels of conscientiousness experience lower levels of extroversion. I think it is interesting that this study was performed specifically on women. It would also be fascinating to see how the results would compare if men were exclusively studied.
The use of the Big Five model of personality in this experiment is important because of how it is able to explain the specific strengths and weaknesses of a person's personality that will prevent them from reaching optimum levels of happiness. While this study only uses neuroticism, conscientiousness ,and extroversion, and not all of the Five, it is still a valid look at an aspect of women's personalities in conjunction with cognitive dissonance.
The results of this study were quite interesting. It was discovered that there is a direct positive correlation between neuroticism and high cognitive dissonance in women (Al Otaibi et al.). Also, researchers found that in situations when a woman is experiencing high cognitive dissonance, a woman's academic achievement is hindered. This is because of the mental tension dissonance creates (Al Otaibi et al.). Finally, this study was important because scientists established that in women there is an inverse relationship between conscientiousness and extroversion (Al Otaibi et al.). This means that women with high levels of conscientiousness experience lower levels of extroversion. I think it is interesting that this study was performed specifically on women. It would also be fascinating to see how the results would compare if men were exclusively studied.
The use of the Big Five model of personality in this experiment is important because of how it is able to explain the specific strengths and weaknesses of a person's personality that will prevent them from reaching optimum levels of happiness. While this study only uses neuroticism, conscientiousness ,and extroversion, and not all of the Five, it is still a valid look at an aspect of women's personalities in conjunction with cognitive dissonance.