Prediction of graduate major from cognitive and self-report test scores obtained during the high school years.

Full Abstract

Using information from Project TALENT's 11-yr. follow-up (Wise, et al. 1979), 8 graduate major groups were formed for males, 6 for females. Three of the female groups were supplemented by undergraduate majors to increase sample size. Descriptive canonical discriminant analyses were conducted in each sex, high school grade, and separate sets of cognitive and self-report predictors that were administered in high school. Finally, analyses of the combined predictors were conducted in both sexes for the 9th grade only. Two to four canonical discriminants were retained for interpretation on two criteria:
lambda probabilities and size of eigenvalues. Discrimination among groups is more effective in males than in females and in later than in earlier grades. Self-report tests discriminate more effectively among graduate major groups than cognitive ones in the cognitively restricted range of talent. Gains in differentiating among groups from adding cognitive to self-report predictors in the 9th grade are relatively modest. The two sets of predictors define overlapping if not identical dimensions. The first two cognitive functions are important supplements to a measure of general intelligence. For both sexes, a combination of mechanical, spatial, and mathematical tests distinguish science majors from those in the humanities and social sciences who appear on a verbal function.

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Author information

Author/s: Humphreys, Lloyd G (LG); Yao, Grace (G);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 61820, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Psychological reports (Psychol Rep), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Feb; vol 90 (issue 1) : pp 3-30

Dates: Created 2002/03/18; Completed 2002/09/03; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11898999, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Aptitude Tests - statistics & numerical data
Career Choice
Education, Graduate
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans

Humans
Intelligence Tests - statistics & numerical data
Male
Predictive Value of Tests
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Students - psychology
Vocational Guidance

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