Career Decision-Making within the College Social Microcosm: Social Value Determinants, Self-Enhancement Bias, and Psychological Needs

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between high school students’ emotional and personality-related career decision-making difficulties (EPCD), perception of social support and basic psychological needs. The predictive effect of social support perception and basic psychological needs on EPCD will also be examined. In addition, it has been examined whether emotional and personality-related career decision-making difficulties differ according to some demographic variables. In this research, survey model was used. For collecting data, Personal information form; the EPCD-short form; New Psychological Needs Assessment Scale, were used. The data obtained in this research were analyzed using SPSS (20). In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, independent groups t-test, ANOVA test, and correlation and regression analysis technique were used. In addition, a significant correlation was found between the mean scores of the students on the career difficulties, and the perceived social support, and the autonomy and the achievement. The findings were discussed as a part of the relevant literature and suggestions based on the findings were included.

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Career Decision-Making Within the College Social Microcosm

Journal of Career Assessment ◽

10.1177/1069072717692767 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 291-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kathryn M. Pesch ◽

Lisa M. Larson ◽

Matthew T. Seipel

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Exclusion ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Outcome Expectations ◽

Career Decision ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Academic Major ◽

Sense Of Control ◽

Career Decision Making

The present investigation sought to examine whether the college social environment influences students’ career decision-making (CDM) processes. It was comprised of three overarching hypotheses: (1) uncertainty about one’s academic major would be devalued in the college social microcosm, (2) social exclusion would negatively impact four basic psychological needs (belonging, sense of control, social state self-esteem, and meaning in life), and in turn, (3) social exclusion along with the four needs would negatively impact career decision self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectations. Study 1 ( N = 433) presented participants with two fictional student vignettes (certain about major vs. uncertain) which they were asked to rate using a series of positive personality traits. Results revealed that the vignette portraying a student certain about his or her academic major was judged significantly more positively compared to an uncertain student ( d = .71). Study 2 ( N = 148) experimentally manipulated social exclusion to examine its effects on the four needs and on the two CDM variables. Two types of exclusion were used (career-based and personal); both led to significantly lower levels of the four needs when compared to the career-based inclusion condition. Moreover, belonging, sense of control, and meaning in life made significant contributions to both vocational variables. Conclusions and implications are discussed.

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