Investigated the relationship of mathematics self-efficacy expectations to the selection of science-based major in 261 college students. Results indicated that mathematics self-efficacy expectations were significantly related to students' selection of science-based college majors. The math-related self-efficacy expectations of males were…

Comparison of scores of 166 undergraduates on the Mathematics American College Test, Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale, and an outcome expectation scale showed that self-efficacy mediated the effects of past achievement on interest in math. Achievement and self-efficacy predicted math grades; outcome expectation and self-efficacy predicted interest…

We examined perfectionistic personality characteristics and their association with science self-efficacy beliefs and academic performance among college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We were especially interested in gender differences in effects given that women remain significantly underrepresented in…

One study tested two- through five-factor models of math self-efficacy sources with 295 college students, supporting a four-factor structure (performance, vicarious learning, social persuasion, emotional arousal). In a second study of 481 high school students, data fit a five-factor model (performance, adult modeling, peer modeling, social…

Results indicated subjects decreased their ratings of self-efficacy and interest as a result of the failure experience and the same ratings increased as a result of the success experience. Women rated themselves lower than men and rated luck as the cause of their successful performance. (Author/BL)

Examined contributions of 4 sex-typed socializations to 6 differences in self-efficacy in l0 male- and l0 female-dominated occupations among male (N=78) and female (N=8l) Japanese undergraduates. Found females in male-dominated occupations had lower self-efficacy, felt they had fewer female role models, considered themselves feminine, and had low…

Results of a study of 31 women majoring in engineering and 43 women majoring in mathematics education showed the following variables distinguished between the two groups: success expectations for traditional and nontraditional occupations, self-efficacy for traditional occupations, and outcome desirability. (SK)

This study investigated the application of the social-cognitive career theory (SCCT) (Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994) to the math interest and choice intentions of non-traditional African-American college student population. The associations between the social-cognitive constructs were examined to identify their relation to math interest and choice…

Ratings of 12 math/science careers and 12 other careers were made by 82 female and 29 male African-American first-year college students. More factors influenced consideration of math/science occupations. Males considered more career choices than did females. Self-efficacy and confidence influenced males more, whereas interests were the predominant…

Path analysis of data from 101 students before college and after declaring majors demonstrated the importance of math self-efficacy beliefs and vocational interests in predicting math/science majors. The more extroverted and those with artistic interests were less likely to major in math/science. Aspirations had solidified before college,…

Causal modeling techniques applied to data from 791 college students showed that parental encouragement in math and science significantly influenced achievement, which in turn influenced self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Results supported the role of family context in Lent et al.'s social cognitive career choice model. (Contains 40…

Four sources of efficacy (achievement, modeling, verbal encouragement, and emotional response) with regard to high school math, locus of control, and math self-efficacy were assessed for 97 male and 66 female Japanese undergraduates. Men reported significantly higher math self-efficacy. Of the four sources, only verbal persuasion did not make a…