Math Interest and Choice Intentions of Non-Traditional African-American College Students.

Abstract 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 intentions. The participants were 156 college students enrolled at a Midwestern, predominantly African-American university. The results supported the application of this model to the non-traditional population. Math self-efficacy was the strongest factor in developing and predicting math interest and choice intentions. The link between outcome expectations and choice intentions was not evident. Implications for future research are discussed.

[1]  J. Galassi,et al.  A comparison of two models for predicting mathematics performance: Social learning versus math aptitude€“anxiety. , 1985 .

[2]  G. Hackett Role of Mathematics Self-Efficacy in the Choice of Math- Related Majors of College Women and Men: A Path Analysis , 1985 .

[3]  E. Hall,et al.  Black Mathematics and Science Majors: Why So Few? , 1987 .

[4]  Don G. Creamer College student development : theory and practice for the 1990s , 1990 .

[5]  Robert W. Lent,et al.  Handbook of Counseling Psychology , 1984 .

[6]  Lois Powell,et al.  Factors Associated with the Underrepresentation of African Americans in Mathematics and Science. , 1990 .

[7]  Frank M. Pajares,et al.  Mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics performances: The need for specificity of assessment. , 1995 .

[8]  Robert W. Lent,et al.  Social Cognitive Expectations and Racial Identity Attitudes in Predicting the Math Choice Intentions of Black College Students. , 1998 .

[9]  Philip L. Smith,et al.  Sex differences in math and science career self-efficacy among disadvantaged students , 1986 .

[10]  Frederick T. L. Leong,et al.  Career Development and Vocational Behavior of Racial and Ethnic Minorities , 1995 .

[11]  R. Lapan,et al.  Self-efficacy as a mediator of investigative and realistic general occupational themes on the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory. , 1989 .

[12]  Philip L. Smith,et al.  Self-efficacy, interest, and consideration of math/science and non-math/science occupations among Black freshmen , 1991 .

[13]  Nadya A. Fouad,et al.  A test of a social cognitive model for middle school students: Math and science. , 1996 .

[14]  A. Bandura Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. , 1977, Psychological review.

[15]  Hanna Ashar,et al.  Can Tinto's Student Departure Model Be Applied To Nontraditional Students? , 1993 .

[16]  N. Betz Career assessment: A review of critical issues. , 1992 .

[17]  E. Boyer The American High School. , 1983 .

[18]  Nancy E. Betz,et al.  The relationship of mathematics self-efficacy expectations to the selection of science-based college majors , 1983 .

[19]  James C. Hearn Emerging variations in postsecondary attendance patterns: An investigation of part-time, delayed, and nondegree enrollment , 1992 .

[20]  Steven D. Brown,et al.  Toward a Unifying Social Cognitive Theory of Career and Academic Interest, Choice, and Performance , 1994 .

[21]  Frederick G. Lopez,et al.  Mathematics self-efficacy: Sources and relation to science-based career choice. , 1991 .

[22]  Shaughnessy,et al.  Efficacy Expectations and Vocational Interests as Mediators between Sex and Choice of Math/Science College Majors: A Longitudinal Study , 1996, Journal of vocational behavior.

[23]  Janice Monk,et al.  Teaching non‐traditional students , 1982 .

[24]  J. Meece,et al.  Student Perceptions in the Classroom , 1992 .

[25]  A. Bandura Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory , 1985 .

[26]  Robert W. Lent,et al.  Contextual supports and barriers to career choice: A social cognitive analysis. , 2000 .