The effect of self-efficacy and psychosocial development on the factors that influence major changing behavior
This quantitative research study sought to determine the factors that distinguish those students who are classified as “major-changers” from those who are classified as “relatively stable” (never changing their initial major or changing only once or twice). Participants of this study were full-time...
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| Format: | Electronic Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2009
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| In: | Year: 2009 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Summary: | This quantitative research study sought to determine the factors that distinguish those students who are classified as “major-changers” from those who are classified as “relatively stable” (never changing their initial major or changing only once or twice). Participants of this study were full-time undergraduate students attending the University of Northern Iowa. The following variables were measured as possible factors influencing major-changing behavior: (a) level of psychosocial development, (b) level of self-efficacy, and (c) level of parental education. The Life-Skills Inventory–College Form (LSDI-CF) was used to measure students' level of psychosocial development and the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) was used to measure students' level of self-efficacy. Four main research questions framed this study: (a) which factors distinguish those students who change their major multiple times from those who remain relatively stable? (b) how does perceived level of self-efficacy influence a person's ability to make decisions? (c) how does a person's psychosocial development affect their ability to make decisions? and, (d) is there a relationship between parental education and major-changing behavior? Several statistically significant differences between major-changers and relatively stable students were found. Major-changers reported a lower level of self-efficacy than relatively stable students, and those students classified as “relatively stable” were found to have a higher level of self-perception on the Problem-Solving/Decision-Making Subscale on the Life-Skills Development Inventory than those students classified as major-changers. There were no significant differences found between major-changers and relatively stable students on level of parental education |
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