Environment-Personality Relationships

Data were obtained from 296 Coll freshmen concerning signif factors in their personality formation. The S's came mostly from Ru areas & were enrolled in a land-grant Coll. A (total - sum) of 1,113 responses were categorized by means of content analysis, according to environment & personality variables. Since only 7% of the responses involved negative factors, this report is largely concerned with the positive factors, & it is clear that the responses are biased toward the positive relationships. Analysis of specific influences indicated that home, church, & Sch exerted the greatest influence on traits & values. Over-all, community group relationships were mentioned more often than primary group relationships. Half of the personality descriptions were in terms of traits; the remainder were in terms of values, interests, & abilities. Sex diff's in number & type of response were not large, but fitted cultural patterns. The data were interpreted in terms of US cultural patterns, & in the framework of adolescence as a period of marginality. The results support expectations & hypo's based on pop characteristics. Practical applications are suggested. AA.