Self-Efficacy and Youth’s Decision to Enter a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Field

• In Event: Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: Cognition and Motivation in STEM

Abstract

The study examined whether youth’s racial/ethnic background constitutes an important moderator of the relationship between self-efficacy and choice of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) major in college. The findings indicate that motivation variables, in general, and self-efficacy beliefs, in particular, operate differently in contexts defined by status characteristics such as ethnicity/race. Although mathematics self-efficacy tends to decline throughout high school regardless of racial status, its effect on the likelihood of a STEM-related major in college remains notable for Asian and Caucasian students. No such conjecture can be made for youth of African American and Hispanic descent. The study provides a glimpse at the complex interplay between race and motivation constructs.

Author

• Temi Bidjerano, Furman University