Undergraduates' Conceptions of the Possible: Regional and Gender Differences

Abstract

Professional self.identification is traditionally taken almost exclusively as a process of choice at the stage of graduation from secondary school. However one may argue that personal significance of choice of a university undergraduate is not less significant than the secondary school graduates' choice. An additional tension to the professional choice of the undergraduate university students is caused by its connection to the tasks of their life choices. Consequently theoretical analysis of professional self.identification must address the notions and constructs which are used in sociology and psychology as indicators of reflexive and motivational constituents of selfidentification. The article presents and analyzes the results of a study of conceptions of possible of higher education undergraduates in the capital and in regional universities.

General Information

Journal rubric: Theoretical-Empirical Studies

For citation: Ivanchenko G.V. Undergraduates' Conceptions of the Possible: Regional and Gender Differences. Psychology, 2008. Vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 32–63. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Ashby W.R. An Introduction to Cybernetics. London: Chapman & Hall, 1956.
  2. Atkinson J.W. An Introduction to Motivation. Princeton, N.J., 1964.
  3. Barthes R. Le bruissement de la langue. Paris: Seuil,1977.
  4. Blau P.M. Structural constraints and opportunities: Merton's contribution to general theory // Robert K. Merton: Consensus and controversy. London, 1990.
  5. Brukner P. L'Euphorie perpьtuelle. Paris: Seuil, 2000.
  6. Feather N.T. Success probability and choice behavior // Journ. Exp. Psychol. 1959. 58.
  7. Festinger L. A theory of comparison processes // Human Relations. 1954.7.
  8. Giddens A. Power, the dialectic of control and class structuration // Social class and the division of labor. Cambridge, 1982.
  9. Ivanchenko G.V. Gender.related Differencies in Meaningfullness of Life // XXVI International Congress of Psychology. Montreal, Canada, August 16.21, 1996.
  10. Abstracts / International Journal of Psychology. 1996. 31. 3-4. 119.
  11. Kleinbeck U. Motivation und Berufswahl. Gottingen, 1975.
  12. Kuhl J. Standard setting and risk preference: An elaboration of the theory of motivation and an empirical test // Psychol. Review. 1978. 85.
  13. Nurmi J.-E. Gender differences in adult life goals, concerns, and their temporal extension: a life course approach to future-oriented motivation // International Journal of Behavioral Development. 1992. V. 15 (4). 487-508.
  14. Nurmi J.-E. How do adolescents see their future? A review of the development of future orientation and planning // Devel. Psych. Review, 1991. 11. 1-59.
  15. Skinner E.A. Perceived control, motivation, & coping. London: Sage Publications, 1995.
  16. Vroom V. Work and Motivation. New York, 1964.

Information About the Authors

Galina V. Ivanchenko, Doctor of Philosophy, Head of the General Sociology Department, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Member of the editorial board of the scientific journal “Psychology. Journal of the Higher School of Economics., Moscow, Russia

Metrics

Views

Total: 1602
Previous month: 2
Current month: 1