2002 11-3 Decision Making Process and Influencing Factors for Junior High School Students in their Application for Senior High School Admission

Shu-Hui Liu

Yi-Ching Lin
National Changhua University of Education Lin-Don High School
 

The purpose of this study was to explore the decision making process and influencing factors for Junior high school students in their application for senior high school admission. In addition, this study investigated the differences due to sex, academic performance and socioeconomic status in the decision making process.
Data were collected from 936 Grades 9 students applying for senior high school admission. The results were as the follows.
1. The decision making process could be divided into three phases. At first grade, junior high school students entered Awareness Phase, in which period they received educational information and understood their responsibility for future plan. At third grade, junior high school students entered Prescreening Phase, in which period they started to collect information and thought about their choice on application. Junior high school students entered Decision-making Phase after they finished entrance ex- amination or got the result of examination. This was the final phase and junior high school students would decide which school to apply.
2. In the process of decision-making, the most important and frequent educational information resources for junior high school students were from senior high schools or junior colleges.
3. There were different significant others in different stages. In Awareness Phase, teachers' suggestions were considered the most helpful resources, but in Prescreening Phase and Decision-making Phase, parents’ opinions were rated as the most influential factors.
4. There were different selection strategies in different phases. In Awareness Phase, the most important information for junior high school students was about occupational opportunity, school reputation, recruitment criteria, and educational opportunity. In Prescreening Phase, junior high school students identified the considered choice based on the most important selection criteria, interest, ability and academic performance, parental expectation and tuition. They eliminated options whose characteristics are not compatible with the selection criteria. Usually, they set up a range ofacceptable 2 to 5 options for future exploration. In Decision-making Phase, they compared their entrance exam scores and their acceptable range to make their final decision.
5. Decision-making process was significantly related to sex, socioeconomic status, and academic performance. Sex was related to beginning time of Awareness Phase, information content, beginning time of Prescreening Phase, acceptable range, selection criteria, beginning time of Decision-making Phase, influential others and influential factors in decision-making. Those sex differences were consistent withgender-stereotyrpe. Socioeconomic status was related to information resources, beginning time of Awareness Phase, selection criteria, beginning time of Decision-making Phase and influential factors in decision-making. Academic performance was related to beginning time of Prescreening Phase, acceptable range, and selection criteria. Itwas indicated that students with low socioeconomic status and poor academic per- formance were in disadvantage going through multiple institutions ofrecruitment.
Obtained results were consistent with Gott企edson's (1981) circumscription and compromise theory and Gati’s (1986) sequential elimination model. Discussion and implications were provided based on the results of study for future research and practice .

Keywords
career decision, educational choice, decision-making process, multiple institutions of recruitment

Reference

方鴻鳴(民87 )。迢迢升學路一從不同角度看多元入學方案。教師天地,96,42-53。
王淑玲、連廷嘉(民89 )。從多元入學的生涯輔導談家長諮詢推展之困境與因應之道。輔導通訊,67, 47-51 。
台北市教育局(民86 )。台北區八十六學年度推薦甄選入學高中實施報告書。台北:教改會。
田秀蘭(民88 )。多元入學?多元應考?多元的生涯輔導?測驗與輔導,155,3235-3236 。
行政院主計處、行政院青年輔導委員會(民86 )。中華民國一台灣地區青少年狀況調查報告。
李芝靜(民87 )。以價值澄清法分析綜合高中學生入學動機輔導學生生涯探索之雛議。教育研究資訊,6, 52-68 。
李俊良(民的)。青少年職業循好設限限向之探討。彰化師範大學輔導與諮商學系碩士論文。
李振賢(民87 )。邁向新世紀的教育政策。高中教育,3, 4-6 。
林騰較(民89 )。技職校院多元入學制度之理念與改革。五專多元入學方案中區宣導說明手冊, 15-18 。
洪寶蓮(民89 )。生涯輔導工作的專業準備。測驗與輔導,170, 3235-3236 。
胡海國(民的)。發展心理學。台北:桂冠。
張世平(民72 )。高中生的教師期望、父母期望、自我期望與學業成就的關系。台灣師範大學教育研究所碩士論文。
張春興(民的)。教育心理學。台北:東華。
郭明雪(民89 )。以多元心向上提升高中多元入學方案。教師天地,107, 63-65 。
陳玉賢(民89 )。從比較教育的觀點一談我國高中職、五專多元入學制度。教育資料與研究,坊, 84-91 。
陳英豪(民87 )。多元入學,開創新局。高中教育. 2,8-11 。
舒琮慧(民87 )。凡走過必留下痕跡一入學制度變革下對高中生涯輔導的教育介入歷程。高中教育,2, 33-37 。
黃政傑(民87 ) 。如何面對多元入學方式。師友, 373, 10-13 。
黃炳煌( 民88 )。近一、二十年來我國入學考試制度之改革。教育資料集刊,23,241-259 。
黃惠惠(民的) 。五專畢業生的初始生涯抉擇與發展。諮商與輔導, 107,28-31 。
楊智馨( 民87 )。大學生生涯發展狀況與自我認定狀態之關係。教育心理學報,30, 1-16 。
楊瑞明( 民89 )。中等教育變革的多元智能省思。教育研究資訊, 8,1-8 。
楊豪森( 民89 )。綜合高中學生學程選擇分化之研究。國立彰化師範大學工業教育學系碩士論文。
彭一芳( 民83 ) 。不間生涯決定類型高職學生生涯探索與生涯重要性之研究。台灣師範大學教育心理與輔導學系碩士論文。
雷文( 民89 )。推甄制度浪滔滔。師說,171, 24-27 。
廖述茂、朱崑中( 民89 )。大學多元入學新方案對高中生涯輔導的影響及因應之道。輔導通訊,俏, 13-19 。
劉淑慧( 民87 )。生涯決策典範的演變一一從理性傳統到反內省觀點。輔導通訊,57, 16-19 。
劉淑慧( 民88 ) 。生涯規劃的新課題一一悅納不確定性的智慧與勇氣。測驗與輔導, 156,3230-3234 。
劉淑慧、朱曉瑜( 民88 )。大學生的決策型態、不確定性的因應與生涯滿意度之相關研究。國科會社會與人文科學研究彙刊,9(3),269-281 。
潘正德( 民86 )。從生涯規劃的觀點談大學推薦甄選入學方案。輔導通訊,79,4-6 。
鄧志平( 民的) 。高中生選擇大學主修科系決策歷程之研究。高雄師範大學輔導研究所碩士論文。
Assouline, M . & Meir, W. (1987). Meta-analysis of the relationship between congruence and well-being measures. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 31, 319-332.
Astin, H. S. (1984). The meaning of work in women’s lives: A socio-psychological model of career choice and work behavior. The Counseling Psychologisι 12, 117-126.
Baumgardner, S. (1982). Coping with disillusionment, abstract images, and uncertainty in career decision making. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 61, 213-217.
Betz, N. E. & Hacke哎, G. (1981). The relationship of career related self-efficacy expectations to perceived career options in college women and men. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 28, 399-410.
Bishop, A. ( 1977). Decision-making: the intervening variable. Educational studies in Mathematics, 7, 41-47.
Blustein, D. L. ( 1989). The role of career exploration in the career decision making of college students. Journal of College Student Development, 30, 111-11.
Bores-Rangel, E., Church, A. T., Szender, D. & Deeves, C. (1990). Self-efficacy in relation to occupational considerations arid academic performance in high school equivalency students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37, 407-418.
Brandt, J. E. & Hood, A. B. (1968). Effect of personality adjustment on the predictive validity of the Strong Vocational Interest Blank. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 15, 547-551.
Brandt, J. E. & Hood, A. B. (1981). An 11-year follow-up of measured interest and vocational choice. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 28, 27-35.
Brown, L. M., & Gilligan, C. (1992). Meeting at the crossroads: Women's psychology and girls'development. Cambridge: Harvard University.
Chartrand, J. M., Camp, C. C., & McFadden, K. L. (1992). Predicting academic adjustment and career indecision: A comparison of self-efficacy, interest congruence, and commitment. Journal of College Student Development, 33(4), 293-300.
Church, A. T., Teresa, J. S., Rosebrook, R., & Szednre, D. (1992). Self-efficacy for careers and occupational consideration in minority high school equivalency students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 39(4), 495-508.
Conklin, N, E. & Dailey, A. R. ( 1981 ). Does consistency of parental educational encouragement matter for secondary students? Sociology of Education, 5( 4), 254-262.
Conneran, J. M., & Hartman, B. W. (1993). The concurrent validity of the Self Directed Search in identifying chronic career indecision among vocational education students. Journal of Career Developmenι 19(3), 197必8.
Daver, F. H., & Stoppard, J.M. (1993). Some factor affecting the occupational expectations of female adolescents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 43, 235-250.
Debra & David (1999). The role of peer relatedness in late adolescent career development. Journal of Educational Behavior, 54, 279-295.
Dolliver, R. H., Irvin, J. A., & Bigley, S. S. (1972). Twelve-year follow-up of the Strong Vocational Interest Blank. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 19, 212-217.
Ender, S. ( 1990). Determinants of career selection in undergraduates. Journal of College Student Developmenι 31, 276-277.
Felsman, D. E. & Blustein, D. L. ( 1999). The Role of Peer Relatedness in Late Adolescent Career Development. Journal of Vocational Behavior 54, 279-295.
Fisher, T. A., & Stafford, M. E. (1999). Reliability and validity of the Career Influence Inventory: A pilot study. Journal of Career Assessment,  7, 187-202.
Gabert, T. E., Hale, J. L. & Montalvo, G. P. (1999). Differences in college choice factors among 企eshmen students-athletes. Journal of College Admissions, 164, 20-29.
Gallagher, K. S. & Hossler, D. (1987). Studying student college choice: A three-phrase model and the implications for policymakers. College and University, 62, 207-221.
Galotti, K. M. & Kozberg, S. F. (1996). Adolescent’s experience of life-framing decision. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25(1), 3-16.
Galotti, K. & Mark, M. (1994). A longitudinal study of real-life decision making: choosing a college. Research in Higher Education, 35(5), 589-607.
Gati, I. (1986). Making career decision: A sequential elimination approach. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 33, 408-417.
Gati, I. ( 1990). Why, when, and how to take into account the uncertainty involved in career decisions. Journal of Counseling Psychology,37, 277-280.
Gati, I. (1994). Computer-assisted career counseling: Dilemmas, problems and possible solutions. Journal o/Counseling and Development, 73(1), 51-56.
Gati, I. (1998). Career Compromises: framings and their implications. Journal of Counseling P句1chology, 45, 505-514.
Gati, I. & Asher, J. (2000). The PIC model for career decision making: Prescreening, in-depth exploration, and choice. In F. T. L. Leong & A. Barak (eds.), Contemporary models in vocational psychology (pp7-54), Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Gati, I., Fassa, N. & Houminer, D. (1995). Applying decision to career counseling practice: The sequential elimination approach. Career Development Quarterly ,43, 211-220.
Gelatt, H. B. (1962). Decision-making: A conceptual 企ame of reference for counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 9, 240-245.
Gelatt, H. B. (1989). Positive uncertainty: A new decision-making framework for counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 36, 252-256.
Gerstein, M., Lichtman, M., & Barokas, J. (1993). Occupational plans of adolescent women compared to men: A cross sectional comparison. Career Development Quarterly, 36, 222-230.
Gianakos, I. (1999). Patterns of career choice and career decision-making self-efficacy. Journal of Vocational Behavior} 54(2), 244-258.
Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: P句, 1chological theoηy and women's development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University.
Gottfredson, L. S. (1981). Circumscription and compromise: A development theory of occupational aspirations. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 28, 545-579.
Gottfredson, L. S. ( 1985). Role of self-concept in vocational theo月人Journal of Counseling Psychology, 32, 159-162.
Gottfredson, L. S. (1996). Gott企edson's theory of circumscription and compromise. In. D. Brown & L. Brooks (eds.), Career choice and development (3rd ed., pp. 179-232), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Goyette, K. (1999). Application to college: A Comparison of Asian American and White High School students. ERIC ED432623.
Greenhaus, J. H., & Connolly, T. F. (1982). An investigation of career exploration among undergraduate business student. Journal of College Student Personnel, 23, 314-319.
Greenhaus, J, H., & Sklarew, N. D. I. (1981). Some sources and consequences of career exploration. Journal of Vocational Behavior,18, 1-12.
Hackett, G., Esposito, D. & O'Halloran, S. (1989). The relationship of role model influences to the career salience and educational and career plans of college women. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 35, 164-180.
Hannah, J. S. & Kahn, S. E. (1989). The relationship of socioeconomic status and gender to the occupational choices of grade 12 如dents . Journal of Vocational Behavior, 34, 161-178.
Hannon, L. K., & Robinson, L F. (1990). Survey report: How college help freshmenselect courses and career. Journal of Career Planning and Employmenι 1(4) , 53-57.
Harren, V. A. (1979). A model of career decision making for college students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 14, 119-133.
Hendersons, S, Hesketh, B. & Tuffin, K. (1988). A test of Gott企eson's theory of Cicumscription. Journal of Vocational Behavior;} 32, 37-48.
Hesketh, B. (1998). Careers Advice and tertiary decision-making “downunder’, in Australia. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 52, 396-408.
Hesketh, B., & Whiteley, S. (1998). Time-related discounting of value and decision- making about job options. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 52, 89-105.
Holland, J. L. (1985a). The Self-Directed Search Professional Manual. Odessa, Fl: Psychology Assessment Resources.
Holland, J. L. (1985b). Making vocational choices: A theoηy of personalities and work environments. Englewood Cliff, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hossler, D., Schmit, J. & Vesper, N. (1999). Going to college: How social, economic, and educational factors influence the decisions students make. ERIC ED430439.
Hotchkiss, L., & Borrow, H. (1996). Sociological perspective on work and development. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (Eds.), Career choice and development (3rded., pp.281-334), San Francisco: Joessy-Bass.
Jackson, G. (1981 ). Sociological, economic, and policy influences on college-going decisions. Journal of College Student Personnel, 22, 300-307.
Janis, I. L., & Mann, L. (1977). Decision-making: A psychological ana砂'Sis of conflict, choice and commitment. New York: Free.
Joseph,M& Joseph, B. (2000). Indonesian Students' Perceptions of Choice Criteria in the Selection of a Tertiary Institution: strategic implications. International Journal of Educational Managemenι 14, 40-44.
Katz, M. R. (1966). A model of guidance for career decision-making. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 15,2-10.
Katz, M. R. (1993). Computer-assisted career decision making: the guide in the machine. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ketterson, T. U., & Blustein, D. L. (1997). Attachment relationships and the career exploration process. Career Development Quarterly,46, 167-178.
Krieshok, T. S. (1998). An anti-introspectivist view of career decision making. Career Development Quarterly,46, 210-229.
Krumboltz, J. D. (1992). The wisdom of indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 41, 239-244.
Krumboltz, J. D. & Hamel, D. A. (1977). Assessing career development. Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.
Krumboltz, J. D. ,孔lfitchell, A. M., & Jones, G. B. (1976). A social learning theory of career decision making. The Counseling Psychologisι6(1), 71-81.
Lent, R. W. (2000). Contextual supports and barriers to career choice: A social cognitive analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 36-49 .
Lent, R. W, Brown, S. D. & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79-122.
Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D. & Hackett, G. (1996). Career development 仕om a social cognitive perspective. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (eds.), Career choice and development (3rd ed., pp.373-421), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Lent, R. W., & Hackett, G. (1987). Career self-efficacy: Empirical status and future direction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 30, 347-382.
Leong, F. T. L. & Chou, E. L. (1994). The Role of ethnic identity and acculturation in the vocational behavior of Asian Americans: An integrative review. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 44, 155-172.
Leung. S. A. (1993). Circumscription and compromise: A replication study with Asian Americans. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40, 188-193.
Lillard, D & Gerner, J. (1999). Getting to the Ivy League: How Family Composition Affects College Choice. Journal of High Education. 70, 706-30.
Litten, L. (1982). Different strokes in applicant pool: Some refinements in a model of student choices. Journal of Higher Education, 4, 383-402.
Luzzo, D. A. (1995). Gender Differences in College Students' career maturity and perceptions of barriers in career development. Journal of Counseling and Development, 73, 319-322.
McArthur, C. (1954). Long-term validity of the Strong Interest Test in two subcultures. Journal of Applied Psychology, 38, 346-354.
McComick, J. F. (1995).“But Nobody Told Me About" A Program for Enhancing Decision Making by College-Bound students. School Counselor} 42, 48-246.
McMahon, M., & Patton, W. (1997). Gender differences in children and adolescents' perceptions of influences on their career development. School Counselor, 44, 368-376.
McWhirter, E. H., Hackett, G., & Bandura (1998). A causal model of the educational plans and career expectations of Mexican American high school girls. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 166- 181.
Micceri, T. & Wajeeh, E. (1998). The influence of geographical location and application to multiple institutions of recruitment. AIR 1998 Annual Forum Paper, ERIC ED 434556.
Miller, M. J. (1995). A case for uncertainty in career counseling. Counseling and Values, 39, 162-168.
Mitchell, A. M., Jones, G. B., & Krumboltz, J. D. (eds.) (1979). Social learning and career decision making. Cranston, RI: Carroll.
M1itchell, K. E., Levin, A. S., & Krumboltz, J. D. (1999). Planned happenstance: Constructing unexpected career opportunities. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77(2), 115-124.
Mitchell, L. K. & Krumboltz, J. D. (1996). Krumboltz’s learning theory of career choice and counseling. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (eds.), Career choice and development (3rd ed., pp.233-280), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., & Reaedon, R. C. (1991). Career development and service: A cognitive approach. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Petr, C. L. & Wendel, F. C. (1998). Factors influencing college choice by out-oιstute students. Journal of Student Financial Aid, 28, 29-40.
Rotberg, H. L., Brown,D.,& Ware, W. B. (1987). Career self-efficacy expectations and perceived range of career options in community college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 34(2), 164-170.
Sadri, C. & Robertson, I. T. (1993). Self-efficacy and work-related behaviour: A review and meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 42(2), 139-152.
Shank, M. D. & Beasley, F. (1998). Gender Effects on the University Selection Process. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 8, 63-71.
Spokane, A. R. (1985). A review on person-environment congruence in Holland's theory of careers. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 26(3), 306-343.
Strong, E. K. Jr. (1955). Vocational interests 18 years a戶er college. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.
Stumpf, SA., & Colarelli, S. M. (1980). Career exploration: Development of dimensions and some preliminaηr findings. Psychological Reports, 47, 979-988.
Stumpf, S. A., Colarelli, S. M. & Hartman, K. (1983). Development of the Career Exploration Survey (CES). Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 22, 191-226.
Super, D. E. (1953). A theory of vocational development. American Psychologist, 8, 185-190.
Super, D. E., Savickas, M. L., Super, C. M. (1996). The life-span, life-space approach to careers. In D. Brown, L. Brooks, & associates. Career choice and development (3rd. ed., pp. 121-178). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Super, D. E., Starishevsky, R., Matlin, N., & Jardaan, J. P. (1963). Career development: Self-concept theory essays in vocational development. NY: College Entrance Examination Board.
Tang, M. Fouad, N. A. & Smith, P. L. (1999). Asian Americans' career choices: A path model to examine factors influencing their career choices. Journal of Vocational Behavior} 54, 142-157.
Tiedeman, D. V. & O'Hara, R P. (1963). Career development: Choice and adjustment (Differentiation and integration in career development). NY: College Entrance Examination Board.
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1983). Extensional versus intuitive reasoning: The conjunction fallacy in probability judgment. Psychological Review, 91, 293-315.
Vondracek, F. W., Lerner, R. M., & Schulenberg, J.E. (1986). Career development: A life-span development approach. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Wajeeh, E. M. & Micceri, J. (1997). Factors Influencing students' college choice at traditional and metropolitan universities. ERIC ED416727.
Wheelahan, H., & Knowles, A. (1993). Young women’s career choices: A longitudinal and cross-sectional study. Australian Journal of Career Development, 1, 18-22.
Wheeler, K. G. (1983). Comparisons of self-efficacy and expectancy models of occupational preferences for college males and females. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 56, 73-78.

Download
Download