ERIC Number: EJ1323986
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2332-8584
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What Matters When? Social and Dimensional Comparisons in the Context of University Major Choice
von Keyserlingk, Luise; Dicke, Anna-Lena; Becker, Michael; Eccles, Jacquelynne S.
AERA Open, v7 n1 Jan-Dec 2021
Students compare their achievement to different standards in order to evaluate their ability. We built on the theoretical frameworks of situated expectancy-value theory, dimensional comparison theory, and the big-fish-little-pond effect literature to examine the role of social and dimensional comparisons for ability self-concept and subjective task value (STV) in secondary school and university major choice. We used two German longitudinal data sets from different cohorts with data collection in 12th grade and 2 years after high school graduation (Study 1: N = 2,207, Study 2: N = 1,710). Dimensional and social comparisons predicted students' self-concept and domain-specific STV in school: Individual achievement was positively related to ability self-concept and STV in the corresponding domain and negatively related in the noncorresponding domain. School-level mean achievement was negatively related to ability self-concept and STV in the corresponding domain. Dimensional comparisons were directly related to university major choice, social comparisons were only indirectly related.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Majors (Students), High School Seniors, Self Concept, Academic Achievement, Academic Ability, Preferences, Expectation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
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