Personality Type Preferences of the Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency Student in Southwest Iowa and Implications for the Selection of Appropriate Teaching Methods and Techniques

Abstract

This study investigates the differences in personality of adult basic education students and the general population. It also compares these students to each other in relation to reading ability, gender, reason for returning to school, referral source, reason for leaving formal schooling, age, and preferred method of instruction. Fifty-eight adult basic education students enrolled in an adult learning center were given the MBTI and a demographic questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSSX) was utilized. The findings indicated that these students have similar characteristics to those in studies conducted with at risk youth. There are a larger percentage of introverts and perceptives than found in the general population with the greatest number being ISPs. There were, however, no significant differences found in the demographic comparison. This information concludes that a variety of instructional methods are needed in order to create successful outcomes.