Abstract:

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the personality traits (i.e., neuroticism, extroversion, openness, compatibleness and conscientiousness) and social loafing behaviors of candidate teachers. A correlational survey model was used. The sample consisted of 166 students who attend faculty of education and 155 students who attend a teaching certificate program at a state university in Turkey. Five Factor Personality Scale and Social Loafing Scale were used as the data collection tools. In the data analysis, as descriptive analyses, t-tests and Pearson correlation test were used. Statistically significant differences on some study variables were detected regarding demographic traits. Correlational findings showed that there were significant and negative correlations among social loafing behaviors and personality traits of neuroticism, compatibleness and conscientiousness among candidate teachers. Moreover, Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted to examine to what extent personality traits predict social loafing behaviors. According to findings, conscientiousness and compatibleness were significant predictors of social loafing behaviors. 

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