Examining the differentiating factors predicting developmentally, moderately, and chronically indecisive students

Brett Victor Hurm, Purdue University

Abstract

The primary aim of the present investigation was to determine the variables that predict undecided students' type of indecision/academic major change pattern: (a) staying in the first major selected (i.e., developmental indecision), (b) changing majors one time (i.e., moderate indecision), or (c) changing academic majors two or more times prior to graduation (i.e., chronic indecision). Variables examined with regard to their predictive ability included: congruence between career interests and first academic major selected, neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, career choice anxiety, generalized indecisiveness, need for career information, and need for self-knowledge. The results of the primary analysis did not reveal career related variables which accurately predicted students' group membership, although did suggest associations among low congruence and high openness with a chronic indecision pattern. Exploratory analyses suggested similar results, indicating the students who scored high on congruence were less likely to belong to the group making one or more academic major changes and students who scored high on openness were more likely to belong to the group making one or more academic major changes. The findings may highlight the importance of using career interest inventories in career exploration courses. Future research needs to continue to use behavioral assessments of indecision, use expanded longitudinal elements and control groups, and integrate additional critical variables such as career decision making self-efficacy, GPA, and SES.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Servaty-Seib, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology|Personality psychology

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