Cross Cultural Study of Personality Traits in University Students from India and Japan

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore differences in personality traits among university students from India and Japan. Ten-Item Personality Inventory of the Big Five personality traits is used for this purpose. Method: The participants included 191 Indian (91 male, 100 female) and 248 Japanese (131 male, 117 female) students. Data is analyzed using independent samples t-tests and ANOVA to compare personality traits between the two countries. Result: The t-test results revealed a significant difference in personality traits between students from India and Japan. Indian students scored higher in agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, whereas Japanese students scored significantly higher on neuroticism. Furthermore, the ANOVA indicated significant differences in personality traits between male and female students in India and Japan. Both male and female Indian students scored higher on agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, whereas male and female Japanese students scored higher on neuroticism. Conclusion: The finding that Indian students scored higher on agreeableness and openness to experience than their Japanese counterparts can be attributed to cultural diversity, which fosters flexibility in different situations. The finding of lower conscientiousness among Japanese students was surprising, considering the prevalent perception of the Japanese as industrious.