The influences of roommate assignments upon students' maturity

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.