The Academic Interests of College Women: A Factorial Study

Abstract

The extent to which college programs meet the needs and goals of women students has not been established. In this study, a sample of students and alumnae of the College of Home Economics, Iowa State University, responded to a set of attitude scales concerning their reactions to courses in their core curriculum. Factor analysis of the person-course interactions revealed 6 factors which were tentatively defined in terms of the courses loading most heavily on each. Implications for improved educational planning of women are discussed.A LTHOUGH IT IS generally acknowledged .fi that the academic interests and goals of college women are different from those of men (see, for example, White, 1950; Komarovsky, 1953;Ludeman, 1961; Heist, 1962, 19f?3), little is known about the extent to which various college curricula meet the needs of female students. In the Vassar studies, Sanford and his associates (1956) located five personality patterns among college women and alumnae

The vocational interests of women: a factor analysis of the women's form of the Strong Vocational Interest Blank

“…Grouping those scales that It is generally acknowledged that college women and men differ in academic interests (Lewis, Wolins, & Yelsma, 1967).…”

Who influences women's career choices?

“…Stated Occupational Choices Lewis, Wolins, and Yelsma (1967) demonstrated that women have differ ent educational goals and reactions from men. Lewis (1968) asserted that girls prefer people-oriented rather than object-oriented jobs.…”

The vocational interests of women: a factor analysis of the women's form of the Strong Vocational Interest Blank

“…It is generally acknowledged that college women and men differ in academic interests (Lewis, Wolins, & Yelsma, 1967).…”