A Growth-Mixture Analysis of Gendered Career Trajectories: Associations With Math and Reading Motivation and Achievement

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Examining Motivation and Cognition in Context (San Diego)

Abstract

Previous research on career aspiration has focused on gender proportions of specific career categories instead of examining the gender proportion of that career. When relating career aspirations to future training activities (e.g., university majors), changes in career aspirations are also often neglected. This study addresses these gaps with growth mixture models of the gender typicality of career aspirations through 9th to 12th grade university track students (N = 4759). Five trajectories were identified: stable male (19%), stable female (21%), stable neutral (48%), male-to-female (6%), and neutral-to-male (6%). Trajectories related to math and verbal self-concept and competence as well as gender typicality of university majors. While boys’ self-concept of ability differed significantly across career profiles, girls’ self-concept was less impactful.

Authors

• Jeffrey M. DeVries, IFS - TU Dortmund

• Fani Lauermann, TU Dortmund University