Characteristics of students who consider taking a psychology placement year

ABSTRACT

Previous research has demonstrated several benefits of work placements, including improved academic attainment and employability prospects. However, it may be important to recognise that there is a self-selection of placement students. There may be characteristics which make students more likely to choose to take a placement, and also make students more likely to gain higher grades and employment. The current study explored the characteristics and attributes of students who consider taking a placement year, focussing on personality and autonomy. One hundred and fifty-nine psychology students completed measures of personality and autonomy, and answered questions regarding their intentions about taking a placement year. The study revealed that students who consider taking a placement are more conscientious and more autonomous than students who do not consider taking a placement. These findings have important implications for research examining the benefits of placements, and also for practices for advertising and promoting placement years.

KEYWORDS:

• Placements
• autonomy
• personality
• undergraduates
• employability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.