Perceived Personality Traits Associated with Classroom Seat Selection

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between classroom seating location and student's personality characteristics. 110 women and 172 men were shown a diagram which divided a traditional classroom into front, middle, and back sections. They rated perceived personality characteristics of students seated in each section and described themselves using a semantic differential. Students in each section were perceived as having a unique set of personality characteristics. Furthermore, individuals preferred to sit in the section containing students who were perceived to have traits similar to their own. Both men and women tended to prefer the front two sections of the classroom; their preference was slightly stronger for women than for men. Women characterized the personality traits of students in each section differently from men. Women tended to view those in the front as leaders and as academically successful.