Department Choice Process of Psychology Students in Wide Perspective
Abstract
Career decision is very important in human life. So
many career decision making studies were conducted in various occupational
groups. However most of these studies include limited perspectives from
different occupational groups and none of them includes psychology department
specifically. In this study, researchers investigate underlying factors related
to decision of the psychology department in a wide perspective. Firstly,
researchers try to understand deeply their common points, motivations,
cognitive, and contextual factors. Secondly, researchers consider department
(career) choice as a process, which begins in their childhood; persist through
their life-span. Semi-structured interviews and drawing tasks were used in this
study with nine psychology juniors. After the thematic analysis, 5 main themes
were found. Researchers modeled probable factors as, four of the main themes
(goal-directed, contextual and, characteristic reasons, and alternative
choices) directly affect decision making but one of them, which is process
related experiences affects indirectly the decision itself. Psychology
students’ general personality features are mostly achievement seeker,
hardworking, helpful and problem solver, most of them are introverted and had a
somewhat quiet childhood. Also, people who know about psychology, counselors of
schools, suggest psychology whereas people who do not know about psychology,
school teachers, and relatives, suggest law and even contempt psychology.
Keywords
Career Decision,Psychology Department,Qualitative Study,Psychology Students,Phenomenology
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