Journal article
Formal and Social-Psychological Elements of Secondary Schooling on College Major Selection
Research in higher education journal, Vol.42
07/2022
Abstract
This paper examines the relation between formal and social-psychological elements of secondary schooling and college major selection. Students select their college major based on a "secondary sorting process" where their high school experiences are key factors that transmit certain advantages for some students and disadvantages for others. Expectations of working in a STEM occupation at age 30 are an essential catalyst for students to select a STEM major. In addition, self-efficacy in math and science influences the likelihood that a student selects a STEM major. Occupational expectations, self-efficacy, and effort completely mediate the relation between parental education and selecting a STEM major. Subject-specific indicators predicted major selection, but precollege math coursework exerted a more substantial influence in choosing a technical-quantitative major than precollege science coursework.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Formal and Social-Psychological Elements of Secondary Schooling on College Major Selection
- Creators
- Brian P An
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Research in higher education journal, Vol.42
- Publisher
- Academic and Business Research Institute
- ISSN
- 2327-7092
- eISSN
- 1941-3432
- Number of pages
- 18
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2022
- Description audience
- Adult Education; Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
- Academic Unit
- Educational Policy and Leadership Studies; Sociology and Criminology; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984322888902771
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