College Students’ Life Priorities: The Influence of Gender and Gender-linked Personality Traits

Abstract

This study examined relations between gender-linked personality traits (i.e., agency and communion) and life goals in a sample of 237 undergraduates. In addition, gender similarities and differences in the relative importance of life goals were explored. As predicted, agency was positively associated with the importance of most achievement goals such as having a career, whereas communion and unmitigated communion were positively associated with the importance of relational goals such as romantic partnership. Contrary to predictions, results suggested that men were more willing than women to sacrifice some achievement goals for a romantic relationship. Findings point to the potential influence of gender and gender-linked personality traits on the establishment of life priorities.

Perceived influence of parenting styles over irrational belief in romantic relations

“…Therefore, it is possible to mention the romantic relationships they establish during university years which include individuals' period of early adulthood, determine the nature of their close relationships that will be established in adulthood and mate selection in the process of marriage (Furman, 2002). Furthermore, the importance of close relationships is quite remarkable with regard to acceleration of the adaptation process to the university and ensuring reliable and positive transitions between the developmental periods (Ponzetti and Cate, 1988;Mosher and Danoff-Burg, 2007;Moss and Schwebel, 1993).…”