Social-Cognitive Determinants of Postsecondary Educational Choice

• In Event: Poster Session 20
  In Poster Session: Division E Human Development Poster Session

Abstract

The present study aims at unraveling the myriad of factors determining postsecondary educational choice. The joint effect of gender, SES, academic self-concept, achievement, vocational interests and future aspirations was examined using a large sample of 6890 students who made the transition from secondary to higher education. In order to cluster the large number of postsecondary majors (both university and non-university majors were considered), we administred Holland’s RIASEC typology in combination with the Educational Opportunities Finder (Holland, 1997; Rosen, Holmberg, & Holland, 1997). Multilevel multinomial analysis was employed using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimation procedure. In summary, our results confirm Lent’s (2005) complex jigsaw puzzle metaphor in that different explanatory variables go into a dynamic interplay.

Authors

• Maarten Pinxten, University of Leuven

• Bieke De Fraine, K.U. Leuven

• Wim Van den Noortgate, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven