Difference of Self Directed Learning Readiness Between Introvert and Extrovert Personality Type Among Medical Students

Abstract

Background: The paradigm of medical education has been changed from Teacher Centered Learning (TCL) to Student Centered Learning (SCL) that implemented through Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Medical students are expected to have the ability to learn independently or known as self-directed learning (SDL). This tendency then measured by a scale known as the Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). Personality is one of the influential factors in this case. Extrovert personality type is considered more suitable to the SDL method. This study aimed to determine differences in self-directed learning readiness between introvert and extrovert personality type among medical students. Subject and Methods: This was an observational analytic study with cross sectional design. The subjects were medical students at SebelasMaret University in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.This used random sampling method. The subjects were categorized into ready and not ready for SDL. Type of personality was divided into introvert,ambivert and extrovert. Motivation was selected as a confounding variable and divided into high and low motivation. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. Results:There were 69 students included in this study. We found that 25(36.2%) students were introvert, 16 (23.2%) students were extrovert and 28 (40.6%) students were ambivert. Based on SDLR scores, 23 (33.3%) students were ready for SDL and 46 (66.7%) students were not. Logistic regression analysis showed that extrovert students had chance to be ready for SDL 0.70 fold lower than introvert students (OR = 0.70; 95% CI= 0.18 to 2.74; p= 0.604). Otherwise, ambivert students 0.83 fold lower than introvert students (OR = 0.83; 95%CI= 0.26 to 2.64; p = 0.745) to be ready for SDL. Conclusion:There was no statistically difference of SDLR between personality types.