Personality variables as predictors of performance for first-year dental students.

This study attempted to determine if students with certain personality preferences outperform others over the course of the initial dental school year. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to assess the relationship between personality preferences and academic performance. One hundred and ninety-nine dental students in four successive first-year classes, 1983-86, participated. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to relate academic performance (first-semester, second-semester, and first-year GPAs) to personality preferences (EI, SN, TF, JP) and academic predictors (entering GPA and DAT scores). For personality preferences, all correlation coefficients were low and nonsignificant. In comparison, entering GPA and DAT (academic) scores were significantly correlated with first-semester, second-semester, and first-year GPAs. DAT (perceptual ability) scores showed a significant correlation with first-semester GPAs only.