ERIC Number: EJ993497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Nov
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Task Value Profiles across Subjects and Aspirations to Physical and IT-Related Sciences in the United States and Finland
Chow, Angela; Eccles, Jacquelynne S.; Salmela-Aro, Katariina
Developmental Psychology, v48 n6 p1612-1628 Nov 2012
Two independent studies were conducted to extend previous research by examining the associations between task value priority patterns across school subjects and aspirations toward the physical and information technology- (IT-) related sciences. Study 1 measured task values of a sample of 10th graders in the United States (N = 249) across (a) physics and chemistry, (b) math, and (c) English. Study 2 measured task values of a sample of students in the second year of high school in Finland (N = 351) across (a) math and science, (b) Finnish, and (c) the arts and physical education. In both studies, students were classified into groups according to how they ranked math and science in relation to the other subjects. Regression analyses indicated that task value group membership significantly predicted subsequent aspirations toward physical and IT-related sciences measured 1-2 years later. The task value groups who placed the highest priority on math and science were significantly more likely to aspire to physical and IT-related sciences than were the other groups. These findings provide support for the theoretical assumption regarding the predictive role of intraindividual hierarchical patterns of task values for subsequent preferences and choices suggested by the Eccles [Parsons] (1983) expectancy-value model. (Contains 11 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Foreign Countries, Group Membership, Profiles, Correlation, High School Students, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Finno Ugric Languages, Physical Education, Art Education, Regression (Statistics), Prediction, Academic Aspiration, Role, Student Attitudes, Occupational Aspiration
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A