Choosing a High School Major

Abstract

Knowledge regarding the process of academic decision making in high school is limited. The current study focuses on self-efficacy in selecting a high school major, outcome expectations from this decision, and their correlation with future study plans. Participants were 680 Israeli Jewish adolescents ( M = 16.1, SD = 0.43). Findings suggest that adolescents have higher crystallization regarding their academic choices in high school compared to their future academic choices. Higher self-efficacy beliefs in selecting a high school major are associated with a higher degree of crystallization of current and future academic decisions. Furthermore, high self-efficacy beliefs strengthen academic success motivation and the belief in the probability of achieving the desired outcomes from the selected major. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.