The Role of Personality Type on Minority Attrition at the US Naval Academy

Abstract

The attrition rate at the Naval Academy is higher for minority vs. not minority students. This thesis examines the predictors of minority attrition at the Naval Academy. Three categories of predictor variables were examined: gender, academic measures, and MBTI personality type. Specifically, the study focuses on the theories of college student attrition based on data from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as traditional civilian universities. Data obtained from the Naval Academy's Institutional Research were analyzed. Results of the quantitative analysis show that the standardized test used in the admissions process (SAT) held little predictive value when examining minority attrition. A major finding drawn from Chi Square analysis of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator revealed that several active personality types did better in terms of persistence at the Naval Academy. Recommendations addressed several areas of possible improvement and proposed further research regarding minority attrition.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA404702

Entities

People

  • Carl A. Burkins

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Attrition
  • Civil War
  • Data Analysis
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Hispanics
  • Instructors
  • Military Education
  • Minority Groups
  • Personality
  • Schools
  • Service Academies
  • Sociology
  • Students
  • United States
  • United States Military Academy
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • STEM Education