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ERIC Number: EJ1095412
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Student Self-Efficacy in a Chosen Business Career Path: The Influence of Cognitive Style
Harder, Joseph T.; Czyzewski, Alan; Sherwood, Arthur L.
College Student Journal, v49 n3 p341-354 Fall 2015
An important dimension of university students' academic success is retention in their chosen major. When students do switch majors or interrupt their education, it is largely due to their lack of confidence about doing well academically, as well as perceived chances of success in the career area related to university major. A term often used for this confidence is "self-efficacy." The present study measures closeness of fit between a particular student and the general population of students in his or her major on a dimension of personality known as "cognitive style." A measure of cognitive style known as the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory is used to measure a sample of 247 upper level university business students along this dimension. The same students were then given an instrument to assess self-efficacy in the areas of chosen major and intended career. Subjects' cognitive style varies systematically among majors, possibly due to self-selection of each subject into a major which is perceived to match his or her cognitive style. Self-efficacy related to major choice was found to vary systematically among subgroups, and possible explanations are explored. Self-efficacy relating to the associated career path does not vary systematically among subgroups.
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/csj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Kirton Adaption Innovation Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A