Differences in Attitudes and Values of Students in Relation to Program of Study at a College of Advanced Education

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the results of an empirical study of value orientations of a sample of students entering three different programs of study at a college of advanced education. The research instrument used in ascertaining the values of the students was the Rokeach Value Survey. The data analysed in the study support the general hypothesis that there are differences in the values and attitudes held by students entering different programs of study. Some evidence is presented which suggests that students involved in a business studies program are more conservative on social issues and assign relatively greater importance to values concerned with material well-being and social status than students in teacher education or general studies programs. The data also suggest that teacher education and general studies students place more emphasis on social and moral values.