Behavioral Rigidity between Traditional and Nontraditional College Students
The Test of Behavioral Rigidity was administered to a group of Traditional (age ≤ 22 years) and Nontraditional (age ≥ 25 years) college students to assess the significance of mean differences in rigidity scores between the groups. Analysis indicated significant differences between the groups on Personality-Perceptual Rigidity and the Composite Rigidity Quotient, with the Nontraditional students scoring as less rigid (more flexible). Within each group, women were significantly less rigid (more flexible) on Psychomotor Speed Rigidity and on the Composite Rigidity Quotient. Results argue against the belief that Nontraditional students find it difficult to adjust readily to new situations and tasks and that rigidity increases with age. Further, within both groups of students women scored as more flexible than men. Implications of these results for higher education are discussed.