Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Thesis_ShwetaSingh .pdf (1.39 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

YOU ARE WHAT YOU STUDY OR YOU STUDY WHAT YOU ARE? CHOICE OF COLLEGE MAJOR AND IDENTITY AFFIRMATION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS

Singh, Shweta
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1500412894717207

Abstract Details

2017, MS, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration.
One of the critical developmental challenges of emerging adulthood is identity development and affirmation. This process continues throughout college when many undergraduate students experience increased independence and are thus free to “try on” new identities, or affirm existing identities which have proven meaningful. Opting for a major is a big leap towards shaping a student’s future and defining their desired adult identities. Additionally, it may be an expression of who they are and who they desire to become. This study aims to understand the role of this choice in the process of expressing and affirming one’s identity. This study tests the hypothesis that selection of a major provides an opportunity to affirm a student’s identity because it denotes certain desirable characteristic traits, or identity images. The study was conducted in two parts. Study 1 tested the hypothesis that unique clusters of identity images can be identified for different undergraduate majors (i.e., Hospitality Management, Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management, Journalism, Fashion Design and Biology). The findings suggested that discrete sets of identity images do exist for some of the majors while others shared some identity images. Study 2 investigated the second hypothesis and found that students tended to correspond highly to the identity images symbolized by their chosen major more than the identity images symbolized by other majors. Study 2 also asserted that emerging adults perceive a great degree of freedom in their choice of a college major. Results are discussed along with implications and future research prospects.
Andrew Lepp, Dr. (Committee Member)
Aviad Israeli, Dr. (Committee Member)
Philip Wang, Dr. (Committee Member)
59 p.
Behavioral Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Education; Recreation
identity image, identity affirmation, college major

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Singh, S. (2017). YOU ARE WHAT YOU STUDY OR YOU STUDY WHAT YOU ARE? CHOICE OF COLLEGE MAJOR AND IDENTITY AFFIRMATION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1500412894717207

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Singh, Shweta. YOU ARE WHAT YOU STUDY OR YOU STUDY WHAT YOU ARE? CHOICE OF COLLEGE MAJOR AND IDENTITY AFFIRMATION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS . 2017. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1500412894717207.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Singh, Shweta. "YOU ARE WHAT YOU STUDY OR YOU STUDY WHAT YOU ARE? CHOICE OF COLLEGE MAJOR AND IDENTITY AFFIRMATION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS ." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1500412894717207

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1500412894717207
1,041
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.