Prevalent personality traits in psychology students: a decade of study. Analysis of associated transversal professional skills

Abstract

Introduction: The knowledge of personality in university students and the professional skills necessary for adequate development and performance in professional settings are essential to implement more effective academic interventions that enhance successful professionals.Objective: Analyze prevalent personality traits according to: Motivational goals, Cognitive modes and Interpersonal behaviors corresponding to ten cohorts of psychology students (2010-2020).Method: longitudinal trend design, with descriptive-correlational scope. We worked with two intentional, non-probabilistic samples, psychology students: MI 2010-2020: 945 students, MII 2020: 48 students. Instruments: Million Inventory of Personality Styles (MIPS) and Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Transversal Competencies in University Students.Results: A personality profile was observed with the sustained presence of the traits of Modification, Communicativeness and Control, and absence of Accommodation. In the Professional Competencies, very high frequencies of Interest in Quality, Work Responsibility and Teamwork are evident; and very low frequencies of Social Responsibility. The Modification and Control traits are those that present associations with Transversal Professional Competencies.Conclusions: The profile that characterizes a cohort of psychology students during 10 years of study has been communicativeness and control in the interpersonal, the active and energetic attitude (modification) in the motivational, and the sustained absence of passivity and accommodation. Relationships were found with transversal professional competencies. The implication of the results is discussed