Abstract
One hundred ten entering freshmen were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups representing three types of roommate assignments in the residential halls. The three types of assignments included the pairing of two high-maturity students, a high- and a low-maturity student, or two low-maturity students. A pretest measure of maturity from Heath's Perceived Self Questionnaire (PSQ) was used to determine high or low maturity. About 90% of the sample was retested with the PSQ after one semester to study mean differences in maturity among the three experimental groups and between the initial status of high or low maturity after controlling for pretest maturity scores. Results showed that the maturity of one's roommate does have an impact on that student's degree of Symbolism, that is, on the student's awareness and insight of his or her values and experiences and an increased ability to express those values and experiences symbolically.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bonney, M. E. A sociometric study of the relationship of some factors to mutual friendship on the elementary, secondary, and college level.Sociometry 1946,9 26–47.
Brown, R. D. Manipulation of the environmental press in a college residence hall.Personnel and Guidance Journal 1968,46 555–560.
Broxton, J. A. A method of predicting roommate compatibility for college freshmen.Journal of the National Association for Women Deans and Counselors 1962,25 169–174.
Chickering, A. W.Education and Identity. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1972.
Delworth, U., and Hanson, G. R.Student Services: A Handbook for the Profession. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980.
Erwin, T. D., and Tollefson, A. L. A data base management model for student development.Journal of College Student Personnel 1982,23 70–76.
Feldman, K. A., and Newcomb, T. M.The Impact of College on Students. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1969.
Gehring, D. D. Prediction of roommate compatibility.Journal of College Student Personnel 1970,11 58–61.
Harris, R. J.A Primer of Multivariate Statistics. New York: Academic Press, 1975.
Heath, D. H.Growing Up in College. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1968.
Heath, D. H.Competence and Maturity. New York: Gardner Press, Inc., 1977.
Jones, L. M., McCaa, B. B., and Martecchini, C. A. Roommate satisfaction as a function of similarity.Journal of College Student Personnel 1980,21 229–234.
Lenning, O. T.The Outcomes Structure: An Overview and Procedures for Applying It in Postsecondary Education Institutions. Boulder, Colo.: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, 1977.
Lenning, O. T., Lee, Y. S., Micek, S. S., and Service, A. L.A Structure for the Outcomes of Postsecondary Education. Boulder, Colo.: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, 1977.
Maissonneuve, J. A., Palmade, G., and Fourment, C. Selective choices and propinquity.Sociometry 1952,15 135–140.
Moos, R. S.Evaluating Educational Environments. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1979.
Moos, R. H., DeYoung, A., and Van Dort, B. Differential impact of university student living groups.Research in Higher Education 1976,5 67–82.
Newcomb, T. M.The Acquaintance Process. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1961.
Nudd, T. R. Satisfied and dissatisfied college roommates.Journal of College Student Personnel 1965,6 161–164.
Pace, T. Roommate dissatisfaction in residence halls.Journal of College Student Personnel 1970,11 144–147.
Perry, W., Jr.Forms of Intellectual and Ethical Development in the College Year: A Scheme. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1970.
Scheidt, F. J., and Smith, M. E. Birth-order compatibility and same-sex dyad: a replication.Journal of Social Psychology 1976,99 291–292.
Thibaut, J. W., and Kelley, H. H.The Social Psychology of Groups. New York: Wiley, 1959.
Widick, C., Knefelkamp, L., and Parker, C. A. Student development. In U. Delworth and G. Hanson (Eds.),Student Services: A Handbook for the Profession. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980.
Williamson, E. G., and Wise, W. M. Symposium: residence halls in higher education.Personnel and Guidance Journal 1958,36 392–401.
Yamamoto, K.The College Student and His Culture: An Analysis. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1968.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Erwin, T.D. The influences of roommate assignments upon students' maturity. Res High Educ 19, 451–459 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01418446
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01418446