RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………. 1
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………….... 3
Statement of the Problem……………………………………………….. 7
Scope and Delimitation…………………………………………………. 7
Significance of the Study……………………………………………….. 8
Definition of Terms……………………………………………………... 8
Review of Related Literature…………………………………………… 11
Personality Traits………………………………………………………... 12
The Big Five Personality………………………………………………... 13
Learning Styles………………………………………………………….. 19
Types of Learning Styles………………………………………………... 21
Theoretical Framework………………………………………………….. 26
Conceptual Framework………………………………………………….. 27
Hypotheses……………………………………………………………… 28
CHAPTER
2 METHODOLOGY …………………………………………………………… 29
Research Design ………………………………………………………… 29
Sampling Design………………………………………………………… 29
Locale and Respondents of the Study ………………………………….. 30
Research Instrumentation ………………………………………………. 30
2
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Learning is a process of acquiring new skills, knowledge and abilities and it is considered
a lifelong activity. This process is being influenced by social, cultural and even psychological
factors. Each person has an individualized learning style influenced by its own strengths and
weaknesses. Based on this, a very important aspect is finding the way to generation Z students,
in order to improve teaching styles and information flow during their study years (Iftode, 2019).
In recent years, Generation Z is represented by people that were born between 1995 and 2012,
among the representatives of this generation are young people who are between 20 and 22 years
old (Howe & Strauss, 2019). It has become an important demographic in higher education. Gen
Z students contribute distinctive qualities to the classroom that differentiate them from other
generations. These characteristics include their digital proficiency, social consciousness, and
The important factor of learning is the learning style (Davis et al. 2019). It is defined as a
combination of cognitive, emotional, and physiological traits that show how the learner perceives
and responds to the learning environment. Understanding learning style of learners can be
effective in organizing and modifying the learning environment and teaching and learning
process (Ahmadi & Allami, 2014). They can impact how the learners understand, retain, and
apply new knowledge. There are different learning styles, and the learners can even have a
combination of more than one. Some of the most common learning styles include visual,
auditory, kinaesthetic, tactile, and social learning. In recent studies of (De Feyter et al. 2012)
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suggest that Big Five personality traits combined with learning styles can help predict some
variations in the academic performance and the academic motivation of an individual which can
In addition, personality traits are also an important factor of learning. These are the
emotion. One of the most widely used systems in describing personality traits is the “Big Five”
(Hogan et al. 2019). It stated in McCrae and Costa’s five-factor theory of personality; the Big
critical to properly recognize the personality traits as they can influence learners’ behavior which
in turn can be compelling in their academic progress. Personality traits influence individual’s
approach learning while various factors such as motivation and cognitive abilities and traits
learning styles (auditory, visual, read/write, kinesthetic) which facilitate a student for better
understanding and learning, aiming to achieve the desirable learning outcomes or goals (Kohli &
Bhatia 2021). According to (De Raad & Schouwenburg, 2019) Personality traits are expressed in
learning styles, which are in turn reflected in learning strategies, which eventually produce a
Students from Z generation are being auto didactic, meaning that they take the initiative
to use the available resources of learning. They are actively seeking activities that make them
feel involved, which help them to develop themselves and last but not least that are dynamic and
involve creativity. However, it is obvious that the “old way” of schooling is no longer effective
with the new generation of students (Green & Mccann, 2022). The values of today’s students are
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not congruent with traditional content and methods. Gen Z students are characterized as digital
natives, having grown up with technology, which influences their learning preferences. They
favor interactive and intensive reading activities that address their unique challenges, such as
unfamiliar vocabulary. This highlights the necessity for tailored educational content that aligns
collaborative and interactive learning environments over traditional lecture-based ones. They do
best in technologically integrated contexts, such as games for learning or online discussions.
Students of Generation Z may have difficulty with critical thinking, analysis, and problem-
solving because of the rapid pace at which information is consumed through digital devices.
Their preference for quickly solutions over thorough investigation might make it difficult for
relationship between learning style and personality traits, while others found no significant
relationship. This discrepancy has raised the need for further investigation and study. (Almigbal,
2015). A study examined the relationship between personality traits and learning styles among e-
learners. While it identified some trends linking traits like extraversion with specific learning
styles, it also noted that many learners exhibited mixed preferences that did not align neatly with
their personality profiles. Thus, the authors concluded that personality traits might influence but
do not solely determine learning styles. (Siddiquei & Khalid, 2018) In the study of (Caspi, et al.
2022) numerous studies have investigated the relationship of personality traits with many related
concepts but there is a scarcity of research studies emphasizing the relationship between learning
There were studies before about personality traits and learning styles. Some were
conducted international and others included respondents were medical and engineering students.
Furthermore, there is a study about personality traits in the Philippines particularly in Iligan City
(Narbasa et al., 2022). Some studies considered the four dimensions of learning styles as their
and include other variables of personality traits. In another study, it has been explored that
mathematics and English language (Homayoni & Abdolahi, 2003; Siddiquei, 2018).
Finally, although there are many studies that their findings are contradicting with others.
Also, there were studies use cross-sectional study and correlational study method (Mansoor,
2018). But there findings are not consistent. They say that there were no significant differences
in learning styles and personality traits. Which other say that there was a relationship between
For now, there is no study which conducted in the local context in Midsayap, North
Cotabato using causal-comparative and correlational methods which included Social Science
Courses as respondents and using more variables of personality traits and learning styles. This
study aims to determine the specific personality traits and learning style of Gen Z students
specifically in Social Sciences courses. This study will be conducted to propose strategies for
educator to better accommodate those characteristics thereby enhancing student engagement and
learning outcomes. Also, to identify the academic challenges of Gen Z student face such as
learning style.
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This study aims to investigate the personality traits and learning style among Gen Z
1. What are the demographic profiles of the respondents in terms of sex, age and courses?
4. Is there a significant difference between personality traits and learning styles in terms of
demographic profile?
This study will focus on the personality traits and learning style among Gen Z students in
Social Science courses at Notre Dame of Midsayap College who enrolled in academic year 2024-
2025. Particularly, 60 students from social science courses will be chosen as respondents. The
researchers identify ten (10) from the College of Criminal Justice Education, ten (10) from
Bachelor of Public Administration, ten (10) from Bachelor of Science in Social Work, ten (10)
from Bachelor in Human Services, ten (10) from Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in
Social Studies and ten (10) from Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science.
This study is delimited to the respondents aging from 18 to 24 years old and is limited to
the examination of personality traits and learning style among the 60 Generation Z students
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selected. It will not include students from other generations of those enrolled in other courses
Also, this study only considers the five indicators of personality traits specifically the
style only the four variables are considered specifically the visual, auditory, reading/writing and
kinesthetic. There only four indicators for each variables of personality traits and five indicators
for each variables of learning style. These indicators are most important and relevant to the Gen
Z students.
For Students. By focusing on students in social science disciplines, the results of the study may
enhance the understanding of how traits such as openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion
For Teachers. The findings of this study may guide educators in adapting teaching strategies to
better align with these traits, improve career counseling and academic advising by offering
tailored support, and foster effective group dynamics in collaborative learning environments.
For Parents. The result of the study may assist parents in guiding their children towards
For Administrators. This study may allow for a more policy of learning experiences caters to
Future Researchers. This study may serve as a guide and source of reference or literature when
Definition of Terms
Generation Z. This term use to describe people born between 1997 and 2012. They’re the
Learning styles. Described as a set of factors, behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate learning for
an individual in a given situation. The term learning styles is widely used to describe how
learners gather, sift through, interpret, organize, come to conclusions about, and “store”
Auditory learning style. Individuals who learn better when they take in information in
Kinesthetic learning style. Individuals who prefer to learn by doing. They enjoy a
hands-on experience.
Visual learning style. individuals who prefer to take in their information visually—be
Personality Traits. This are characteristics and qualities that help define you as a unique
individual. They’re often developed throughout life and may remain consistent across many
Agreeableness. The ability to show compassion and willingness to help others. Those
who fall higher on this personality spectrum tend to be cooperative and polite, and those with
less agreeableness are more likely to value rational and critical thinking.
Conscientiousness. It measures your efficiency and organization. Those who fall higher
on this spectrum tend to be task-focused, and those who are less conscientious are often more
easily distracted and may enjoy spontaneity and work better under pressure.
Extroversion. Refers to how outgoing and energetic you are. People who are very
extroverted are assertive and sociable, while those who are more introverted may prefer solitary
activities and alone time, and need fewer social interactions to feel content.
—accounts for your emotional sensitivity and the extent to which you’re inclined to worry or be
temperamental.
Openness. It describes how adventurous, curious or open to new experiences you are.
Highly open individuals tend to have a broad range of interests, and those who have a lower
Generation Z (Gen Z)
Generation Z represents the first cohort to have had easy access to digital technologies
and the internet from an early age. According to Linder (2024), those born roughly between 1995
and 2010 are referred to as Generation Z. It also stated by Starecek et al. (2023) that Generation
Z students’ personality traits and motivation are prerequisites for sustainable learning as well as
According to Huss (2023), students in Generation Z are considered the first "digital
natives" since they have grown up using smartphones to type with their thumbs and ignoring
school-related interactions that do not hold their attention. It is also stated by Paulina and
Ernawati (2022), that the support of information communication and technology (ICT) to
encourage generation Z (Gen Zers) in their learning style in academic environment as well as a
preparation for their competences to enter the workforce. Today it is widely accepted that people
perceive the world according to social, cultural, and economic conditions of the date range that
Ngatirin and Zainol (2020) discuss that learners come with diversity in their individual
needs and characteristics such as different learning styles and preferences, personality traits and
cognitive abilities. The development of the “knowledge society” implies social transformation in
which citizens need not only knowledge but also new skills and competencies, some
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unpredictable, to face new situations. One of the most important actions to achieve this is the
investment in technological resources to offer new ways of teaching and learning (de Menéndez
et al., 2020).
Furthermore, technology adds value to the teaching and learning experience, which
students exploit widely to improve or accelerate the academic process, but technology can
certainly also promote or develop additional skills and competencies (Menendez & Escobar,
2020). Gen Z is attracted to mobile technology and interactive visual learning materials (Choo1
and Taha, 2023). In the study of de-Menendez et al. (2020) students of Generation Z are
authentic digital natives who are a hyper cognitive generation with different student profiles than
before. They are creating pressures for change, and there is a growing competition of universities
for global human talent and demand for qualified graduates to do jobs that do not yet exist.
Personality Traits
behaviors. Personality traits imply consistency and stability—someone who scores high on a
specific trait like Extraversion is expected to be sociable in different situations and over time.
The most widely used system of traits is called the Five-Factor Model. This system includes five
broad traits that can be remembered with the acronym OCEAN: Openness, Conscientiousness,
Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Each of the major traits from the Big Five can be
divided into facets to give a more fine-grained analysis of someone’s personality. In addition,
some trait theorists argue that there are other traits that cannot be completely captured by the
Five-Factor Model. Critics of the trait concept argue that people do not act consistently from one
situation to the next and that people are very influenced by situational forces. Thus, one major
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debate in the field concerns the relative power of people’s traits versus the situations in which
According to Gatzka and Hell (2018) it is a pragmatic fact that academic performance is
well influenced by the personality traits eventually. Moreover, it could be more appropriate to
early years of education. More objectives of the personality traits can also have more impacts on
Moreover, in the study of Mammadov (2022), he observed that the role of personality
traits is very much sway to the academic performance. Academic performance is regarded as
crucial for job pathways, individual life trajectories, and long-term success. It is also regarded as
important as a societal effect. Personality is one of the non-cognitive characteristics that have
Openness
Openness is one of the major personality traits derived from the Big Five model, which is
a widely accepted framework for understanding personality that also includes the factors
person’s tendency to seek out new experiences and to be willing to explore ideas, values,
emotions, and sensations that differ from their previous experience or established preferences
dimension of cognitive style that distinguishes imaginative, creative people from down-to-earth,
conventional people. Open people are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to
beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more aware of their feelings. Van Der Gucht
et al. (2019) emphasized that individuals who are high in openness, particularly the feeling facet,
mindfulness.
According to Nirupama and D’souza (2021) the Gen Z give more importance to
education. They like to spend more time on education. Gen X, the parent of Gen Z, takes care of
their kids in their education and also motivate them to give importance to education. Apart from
traditional education, they also join online courses and complete their education to get additional
knowledge. The learning style preferred by this generation is different from the other
generations. They do not prefer traditional method of learning within the classroom. They like to
learn by trying out new thing and not just being theoretical.
Furthermore, they are very open minded and do not hesitate to give their opinion on any
matters either family matters or political matter or social issues as they spend more time on the
net. They are animals’ lovers, environment friendly. Things like LGBT, same sex marriage,
racial equality would be more natural/acceptable to them. Gen Z are actively involved in various
social activities more than the other generations. They like to be connected with organizations
that address various issues in their own way (Nirupama & D’souza, 2021).
Conscientiousness
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prescribed norms for impulse control, to be goal-directed, planful, able to delay gratification, and
to follow norms and rules. The breadth of this definition implicates a wide swath of important
with better health, lower criminal activity, and better economic, interpersonal, and workplace
being diligent, responsible, and careful. When someone is conscientious, they are able to
exercise self-discipline and self-control in order to pursue and ultimately achieve their goals.
established a positive correlation between this personality trait and academic performance.
Research indicates that conscientious individuals tend to exhibit behaviors such as diligence,
organization, and self-discipline, which are conducive to achieving higher grades and overall
have positive total effect on students’ academic achievements, and they are mainly realized
through the chain mediating effects of self-efficacy and major identity to self-efficacy, and are
mainly based on self-efficacy mediating effect, which is more obvious in the dimension of
behavioral efficacy.
Moreover, it stated in the study of Vázquez et al. (2024) that conscientiousness among
Generation Z is shaped by their upbringing in a digital world, where rapid access to information
and multitasking have become routine. This personality trait, encompassing qualities like
diligence, organization, and reliability, is linked to a high sense of achievement and persistence
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in completing tasks. Gen Z tends to exhibit conscientiousness through their strong work ethic
and desire to excel academically and professionally, often driven by the need to secure stable
futures in a fast-evolving economy. Their conscientious behavior also reflects their adaptability
Agreeableness
Agreeableness is a core personality trait that reflects and individual's abilities to get along
well with others and their concern for social harmony. When it comes to personality traits, if
you're someone that has scored high in agreeableness, you're likely popular and tend to make
friends easily. You also may be seen as trustworthy, altruistic, honest, modest, empathetic, and
It stated in the study of Reizer et al. (2023) that agreeableness is a personality trait that is
functioning, it positively corresponds with prosocial behaviors in general and at the workplace in
paricular. Individuals high in Agreeableness are kind, warm, helpful, and accommodating to
cooperative, and tolerant. People with high agreeableness get along well with others. However,
people with low agreeableness are more skeptical, competitive, and distant. The last dimension is
disciplined, and reliable while those with low conscientiousness prefer flexible plans and do not
In the findings of the study of Sriprom (2019), agreeableness of Gen Z students, all
teachers agreed that most of their students tend to agree with others and get along well with their
acquaintances. However, they discovered that some students who always agreed with others or
relied on others tended to use less critical thinking skills and lack a sense of competition.
Moreover, if students often show their high level of agreeableness, people may think this group
loving relationships among Gen Z participants. However, our findings do not apply to any
specific aspects, but they can still represent Gen Z’s person agreeableness appeared to be the
most dominant dimension, which differs from the reviewed literature that has highlighted Gen
Z’s obsession with technology applications and online social medianality traits in general
Extroversion
warmth. While strongly influenced by genetics, upbringing and life experiences can also affect
how outgoing you are in different areas of your life. People high in extroversion tend to seek
social stimulation and opportunities to engage with others. These individuals are often described
According to McCrae and Costa (2020), extraverts are friendly people who also
frequently look for excitement and chances to interact with others in a social setting. Due to their
innate need for social engagement, they may be born leaders who feel at ease taking command
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and guiding others. Compared to introverts, who can choose more quiet or contemplative
pursuits, extraverts are more likely to feel happier and to communicate their feelings honestly.
On the other hand, excessive extraversion can occasionally lead to impetuous actions or
trouble being alone. Even while social situations usually excite extraverts, they sometimes find it
difficult to focus for extended periods of time or to reflect. Comprehending these characteristics
is crucial for individual growth as well as professional interactions, as extraverts tend to do well
Students from Generation Z have different extraversion tendencies that influence how
they interact with others and approach learning. They are frequently identified by their
friendliness and love of cooperative settings, which facilitates their participation in conversations
and group activities. This generation is more likely to seek out and cherish real connections with
peers and instructors because they value open communication and openness (Starecek et al.,
2022)
tendency to take on leadership roles in group projects. Their comfort with digital communication
tools also allows them to effectively network and collaborate beyond traditional classroom
boundaries. These traits contribute to a dynamic and interactive learning environment, fostering a
Neuroticism
anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and other negative feelings. Like other personality traits,
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neuroticism exists on a continuum, which means that people can be high, low, or somewhere in
those who have tendency to experience anger, sadness, emotional instability and variety of
negative emotions are frequently observed in people who scored high on neuroticism (Khalid
instability, anxiety, moodiness, and a higher tendency to experience negative emotions like fear,
sadness, and anger. People with high levels of neuroticism are more likely to worry, exhibit
emotional instability, and perceive everyday situations as threatening or distressing and minor
emotional stability and the tendency to have negative emotions. People who score high in
neuroticism (or low in emotional stability) are likely to worry, have anxiety, be angry, insecure,
and depressed while people who score low in neuroticism (hence, high in emotional stability) are
Moreover, the findings in the study of Siprom (2019) the Gen Z neuroticism is the weak
trait in this group. This implies that this group of students tends to have low levels of worry and
anxiety. This sends positive signals to teachers because these students may have fewer negative
Higher neuroticism Gen Z students frequently struggle in the classroom, especially when
it comes to managing stress and staying motivated. A growing number of young adults today are
reporting mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders and depression, which can be caused
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by this emotional instability. The study highlights the need for educational institutions to offer
sufficient mental health resources and support systems that are customized to the particular
Learning Style
A learning style implies an individual’s desired way to absorb, process, understand and
preserve information. In simple terms, it is the way that various students learn (Tophat.com,
2020). It is also stated by Childs-Kean, et al. (2020) that application of learning style inventories
and Payaprom (2020), the mentioned that prior to implementing learning style-based teaching, it
universities/colleges. They were raised in an environment full of technology and high access to
the online world which well affected their preferences for receiving information (Mohd Ishak et
al., 2022). Today, humanity faces with rapid developments and innovations in technology and
science that shaped by the needs of the generations as well as the contemporary realities of the
world. Gen Z has its own dynamics and realities which, in turn, entails new issues in learning
Moreover, due to the technological evolution and digitalization education has own
footprint on it through their learning styles (Iftode, 2019). Generation Z as digital natives are
distinguished by their intense engagement in online activity. There have been widespread
concerns over the educational inequality caused by the digital divide in the internet era (Jiao and
Yu, 2024).
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Another study also posits that every student has a unique learning style. Their
personalities are shaped by factors affecting their learning styles. Besides that, it is evident that
students’ distinctive learning style has a significant impact on their academic success. So that
educators should use a variety of teaching styles, such as problem-based learning, team-based
learning, and different assessment methods, to assist and support students in better understanding
Learners understand information better in the classroom when they see it. Visual information is
presented in different formats, such as images, flowcharts, diagrams, video, simulations, graphs,
cartoons, coloring books, slide shows/Powerpoint decks, posters, movies, games, and flash cards
(Raiyn, 2016).
A visual learning style, according to Soni (2024), is a method where individuals learn
best when information is presented visually. This can include graphs, charts, maps, diagrams,
and videos. Visual learners often find it easier to understand and remember information
displayed in a visual format rather than through text or auditory means. This learning style
emphasizes the importance of seeing concepts and relationships between ideas to grasp and
Recognizing the visual learning style of Gen Z students is crucial for developing effective
teaching strategies. The importance of integrating technology and visual aids into the classroom
to support diverse learning styles. By doing so, educators can create a more inclusive and
engaging learning environment that aligns with the preferences and strengths of Gen Z students
According to Hart (2019), using platforms like YouTube, Khan Academy, and
educational apps can enhance learning outcomes by providing engaging and visually rich
content. Additionally, incorporating visual note-taking techniques and mind maps can help
sound and oral instructions. These learners tend to process information more effectively when it
Auditory learners often benefit from listening to explanations, participating in group discussions,
Kayalar (2019) emphasizes that auditory learning style enables auditory learners to learn
best by hearing or through verbal communication. Auditory learners are good at remembering
what they hear as they learn information through auditory representation. Auditory components
such as tone, pitch, and loudness are all important to these learners.
being talkative, sensitive to sound and music, memorizing the songs fast and easily, being
inclined to learn foreign languages, learning by talking, having difficulty in reading and writing
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skills, participating in group discussions, using audiotapes for language practices. This paper
draws attention to the views and practices of language learners as a means of increasing teachers’
Also, auditory learning can be particularly effective for this generation when integrated
with modern technologies. For instance, podcasts and audiobooks have become popular
mediums for educational content, allowing Gen Z learners to consume information through
Additionally, the auditory learning style in Gen Z can be optimized when paired with
collaborative environments. For example, students who thrive in auditory learning often perform
well in group discussions, presentations, and peer-to-peer teaching scenarios. Such interactive
settings allow them to process information verbally, which is vital for retaining knowledge. To
support this, educators should focus on designing lessons that include debates, question-and-
answer sessions, and podcasts, reinforcing their ability to learn through listening (miller et al.,
2019).
Reading/Writing
Reading learning style, as part of the VARK model, is characterized by a preference for
learning through written words and text-based materials. According to Neil Fleming and Colleen
Mills, the developers of the VARK model, individuals with this style tend to absorb information
better when it is presented in written form, such as books, articles, notes, and lists (Fleming &
Mills, 2020). They often take detailed notes and review them regularly to reinforce their
understanding.
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Writing involves a physical and mental effort. At its elemental level, writing is a physical
activity that binds words or ideas to some medium. In this regard, as a mental work, writing
comprises creating ideas and thinking about ways to express these activities, and to bring them
together into larger portions of texts, which are understandable to the audience. By the same
token, writing is a process that the writer undertakes, in order to obtain a final written product.
This process contains four main steps: planning, drafting, editing and a final draft (Benitez-
Read and Write learning style learns best through words. These students may present
themselves as copious note-takers or avid readers and translate abstract concepts into words and
essays. The kinesthetic learners best understand information through a tactile representation of
data (Cabual, 2021). According to Cherry (2019), the students are hands-on learners and learn
best by figuring things out by hand. This model identifies students learning styles, and allowing
students to access the information they are comfortable with, will increase their academic
confidence. The teacher gains a better perspective on implementing these learning styles into
Moreover Pramerta (2024) stated that Generation Z (Gen Z) students born between the
mid-1990s and early 2010s, their approach to reading is significantly influenced by their digital
upbringing, setting them apart from previous generations. Gen Z students, often described as
digital natives, exhibit unique learning preferences that challenge traditional reading instruction
methods. Some students prefer a reading/writing style, where they learn best through written
materials and taking notes. This preference is not unique to Gen Z but is relevant as it indicates
that a portion of Gen Z learners may also benefit from this style (Nasiri et al., 2016).
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The kinesthetic learning style reflects a marked preference for tactile, hands-on learning
experiences. This style is also called tactile learning or experiential learning (Jenna, 2021. The
difference between kinesthetic learning and auditory or visual learning is that a kinesthetic
learner prefers to directly experience what they are learning about. Being a kinesthetic learner
means that you often want to learn by doing—through hands-on activities, by participating in
Kinesthetic learning styles are speaking or verbal activities. The speaking activities in
question include, asking questions, memorizing material and discussing with friends. Students
with kinesthetic tendencies would become speakers, because speaking was a form of movement.
They directly work, touch, move or learn (Khoirunnisa & Iba, 2022).
Furthermore, students who have a kinesthetic learning style tend to like learning systems
that are physically oriented and have a lot of body movement, cannot stay still for a long time
and use a lot of body cues so that they can receive the information conveyed by others (Sayekti
et al., 2021).
oriented environment but only make up a minority of the classroom population. While it is
unclear what percentage of students in the classroom have a predominantly kinesthetic learning
style, studies estimate between 15% and 30% of students, though most likely on the lower end of
that range, are either primarily kinesthetic or strongly kinesthetic in their learning styles.
In the result of study of Sayekti et al. (2021), it was stated that students who have a
kinesthetic learning style are very bored when they do nothing in class. They like to make lots of
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body movements and it is easier to understand the material by moving. During the presentation,
for example, moving the limbs, walking, and moving the hands. This shows that by moving,
students are more comfortable in the learning process. Students prefer the game/ice breaking
session conducted by the lecturer. The majority of students understand the material by taking
part in field work or practicing doing questions. Lecturers can apply a learning system outside
which emphasize hands-on experiences and physical engagement with learning materials.
Doimer (2022) highlights that these students are digital natives who are immersed in technology.
This constant interaction with devices fosters a need for movement and tactile learning activities,
such as interactive simulations and project-based tasks that require active participation.
inclination towards tactile and physical forms of learning in environments that blend traditional
lectures with interactive discussions. This learning style is best supported when teachers
integrate kinesthetic activities like group work, experiments, and field exercises, which cater to
Moreover, (Manzoni et al., 2020) stated that kinesthetic learning allows Gen Z students to
better retain information by engaging with content in a way that suits their action-oriented
mindset. This trend continues to shape modern teaching methods, encouraging educators to
develop lessons that include physical interaction and real-world problem solving.
Theoretical framework
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This study is based on the Five-Factor Theory of Personality with the acronym OCEAN
is often used to recall Costa and McCrae’s five factors, or the Big Five personality traits:
According to Funder (2001) the five factor personality traits show consistency in interviews,
ages and from different cultures. It is the most widely accepted structure among trait theorists
and in personality psychology today, and the most accurate approximation of the basic trait
dimensions.
Another theory VARK Model Theory that developed by Neil Fleming in 1987. The
acronym “VARK” stands for Visual, Aural, Read, and Kinesthetic - and refers to the different
learning styles we as humans have when learning new information. Individuals are identified by
the style they identify with the most when learning. This theory are all one of four main types of
learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. VARK learning styles can also be
used to explain the behaviors of student’s relatives and friends, helping the students to better
This study is aligning on the above-stated theories since it only exploring how personality
traits influence learning style and outcomes. Moreover, concepts and principles of five-factor of
personality and VARK theories are very much related on how the statements of the problem
were formulated
Conceptual Framework
This study assumes that there is relationship of the personality traits and learning style
among Gen Z students in social science courses. This is visualized in the figure 1.
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As shown in the figure, there are two main variables considered: The independent
variable and dependent variable. The first circle contains the profile of respondents such as sex,
age and courses as independent variables; the second circle contains the personality traits such as
dependent variable. The third circle contains the learning styles such as visual, audio, kinesthetic
and reading/writing as second dependent variable; the arrow that points from the first circle to
second circle indicates that the demographic profile influences the personality traits and third
circle indicates that the demographic profile influences the learning style. The two-way arrow
that connects the second circle and third circle indicates that there is relationship between
Learning Style
Openness
Conscientiousness
Demographic Profile
Agreeableness
Age
Extroversion
Sex
Neuroticism
Course
Personality Traits
Visual
Auditory
Reading/Writing
Kinesthetic
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Hypothesis
Ho1: There is no significant relationship in the personality traits of the respondents when they
Ho2: There is no significant relationship in the learning style of the respondents when they are
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, locale and respondents of the study, sampling
design, research instrument, validity and reliability of instrument, data gathering procedure,
Research Design
design. Using the quantitative techniques and an adopted survey questionnaire, this study sought
to investigate the demographic profile of the students, the personality traits and learning style.
The significant relationship between personality traits and learning style of the respondents in
terms of their specific courses. This research design will attempt to identify the causal-
30
comparative between the independent variable and dependent variable. It usually a suggested
relationship, the relationship between independent variable and dependent variable because the
Sampling Design
This study will use the stratified sampling method, and its combination with another
probabilistic approach can improve the precision, as well as representation of results. In such
sampling, if the selection of samples is made out of a population by chance, in that case, each
member will have equal odds of being selected. Our analysis uses these methods for generalizing
our findings to the entire population of Gen Z students taking a social sciences course. On the
other hand, stratified sampling breaks a population down into subgroups or strata (e.g. age, sex
majors within social sciences courses) and randomly selects samples from each stratum. This
approach aims every subgroup to be sufficiently represented in the sample that then allows a
represent an entire group. The goal is to get sample of people representative of the larger
population.
It involves determining the target population, determining the number of participants you
need, and then picking participant in a way that gives everyone an equal chance of being selected
divide a bigger population into subgroups or strata, which can then before there use to draw
This study will be conducted at the Notre Dame of Midsayap College. The respondents
are ten (10) from the College of Criminal Justice Education, ten (10) from College of Bachelor
of Public Administration, ten (10) from Bachelor of Science in Social Work, ten (10) from
Bachelor in Human Services, ten (10) from Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social
Studies and ten (10) from Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science. A total of 60
college students who enrolled in academic year 2024-2025 will be chosen to be respondents of
this study.
Research Instrument
In this study, two self-report questionnaires will be use to collect the quantitative data.
The adopt PLSPQ use to identify the learning style and NEO Personality Inventory use to
identify the personality traits. The instrument comprised a structured questionnaire consisting
Likert scale questions and comprised of two main parts. Part I consist of Demographic Profile of
the respondents. Part II is designed to identify the personality traits and the Part III are designed
to identify the learning styles. Moreover, responses of the respondents in Part II and Part III were
Scale Description
2 means “Disagree”
3 means “Undecided”
32
4 means “Agree”
The researcher-construct survey questionnaire was initially presented to the adviser for
him to determine, among others its clarity and specify of content, and freedom of suggestion to
establish its face validity. Afterward, it was also check and validate by the panelist before it is
use for pilot testing. The researchers conduct the pilot –test to 20 students taking Bachelor of
Science in Social Work at Notre Dame of Midsayap College. Cronbach’s Alpha used to
determine the reliability of items with a reliability coefficient of 0.70 indicative of reliable
instrument.
First, the researchers conducted a pilot test of the modified standardized questionnaire about the
personality traits and learning styles. Second, the researchers addressed a letter to the Vice
President for Academic Affairs and the college deans of the different departments asking
permission to conduct the study entitled Exploring Personality Traits and Learning Styles among
Gen Z students in Social Science courses. Next, the researchers gave the respondents informed
consent for participating in the survey with the promise of keeping their responses to the
33
questions confidential. Upon approval, the researchers conducted the survey. The respondents
answered the questions on the questionnaire given by the researchers through a survey. The
researchers checked the survey questionnaire right after it was answered by the respondents. The
The data that will collect in this research were treat as numerical data. They are present,
analyze, and interpret by apply descriptive and inferential statistics like frequency, percentage,
standard deviation and means to determine the scores of personality traits and learning styles.
ANOVA or analysis of variance will be applying to determine the significance difference the
personality traits and learning style of the respondents when group according to their sex, age,
courses and T test to determine the significance difference of personality traits and learning style
when they group according to their sex, age and courses. The Pearson Product-Moment
Correlation (r) is apply to determine the relationship between personality traits and learning
style.
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Survey Questionnaire
44
Scale
Item 5 4 3 2 1
45
Openness to Experience
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
2. I am compassionate and
empathetic towards others.
Neuroticism
Directions: The following items describe the personality traits such as openness to experience,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. Please respond by putting check mark
47
(/) in the box. At the right side of the item which you perceived corresponds to each trait that
appropriate to you. Here are the scales:
Scale Description
4 means “Agree”
3 means “Undecided”
2 means “Disagree”
Scale
Item 5 4 3 2 1
Auditory
Visual
Kinesthetic
Reading/writing Skills
Submitted Topics/Titles:
Action taken:
Remarks/ Correction:
______________________________________________________________________
_________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
Signed: