20th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
Factors Influencing Graduate School Plans
Jamie E. Matthews* and Alison M. LaFollette
Dr. Michele Breault, Faculty Mentor
As more students earn their undergraduate degree, they are faced with many decisions regarding higher education, employment, and romantic relationships. To examine factors influencing these decisions, over 500 college students completed a survey assessing post-graduation plans, endorsement of multiple roles, value of education, locus of control, masculinity, femininity, romantic relationship status, and importance of romantic relationship in comparison to education. Results show that females are more likely to believe that women can combine work and family relationships than men do and more strongly agree that a graduate school degree would be valuable even if it caused a romantic relationship to suffer. Additionally, those in a romantic relationship score higher on a masculinity scale than those not in a romantic relationship.
Keywords: Graduate School, Personality, Relationships, Gender Roles, Value of Education
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 9-3
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15 pm