Exploring students’ motives for studying psychology : a qualitative study

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Authors

Mudhovozi, Pilot
Maree, J.G. (Kobus)

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Abstract

The present study explored participants’ motives for studying psychology. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research method consisted of a brief survey. Four Black participants (male = 2; female = 2) for the study were purposefully selected from a Historically Black institution of higher learning in South Africa. The data collected through audio-taped individual, semi-structured interviews were analyzed by means of content analysis. The participants were asked to describe their motives for choosing psychology as a field of study. The results suggest that the participants chose psychology for various reasons. Minor gender differences were noted in the motives for the choice of psychology as a career. Further research on the topic is needed.

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Keywords

Career development, Student interests, Decision making, Career choice

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Citation

Mudhovozi, P & Maree, JG 2012, 'Exploring students’ motives for studying psychology : a qualitative study', South African Journal of Higher Education, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 784-799.