Factors in college attendance

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH WAS TO IDENTIFY FACTORS, OBTAINED FROM A SELF-REPORT INVENTORY, DETERMINING THE DECISION TO ATTEND COLLEGE. 214 MALE AND 306 FEMALE STUDENTS FROM THE STATE UNIVERSITY COMPLETED A 78-ITEM INVENTORY, REASONS FOR GOING TO COLLEGE, AS FRESHMEN AND AGAIN AS SENIORS. ANALYSES AND MATCHING PROCEDURES YIELDED 13 MAJOR FACTORS: SOCIAL REASON, CONFORMITY, CURIOSITY, VOCATIONAL REASON, ACADEMIC VALUE, MATERIAL VALUE, ALTRUISTIC VALUE, SCHOOL INFLUENCE, EXPERIENCE, AVOCATIONAL INFLUENCE, SCIENCE INTEREST, HUMANITIES INTEREST, AND VERBAL INTEREST. ADDITIONAL FACTOR ANALYSES OF A DISMISSED COLLEGE GROUP AND 3 DIVERSE PUBLIC-SCHOOL SAMPLES SUGGESTED THAT THESE MAJOR FACTORS HAD CONSIDERABLE GENERALITY. IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL DECISION MAKING AND FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ARE CONSIDERED. (19 REF.) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)