Business and Arts Students

Abstract

Questionnaires measuring epistemologies and personal values were administered to 270 undergraduate students, registered in liberal arts and business programs. Comparisons were made between those in first year and those in senior years. Students differed somewhat in values and epistemology, even among first year students alone. Evidence was obtained, however, for a type of socialization process, wherein business students appeared over time to become more estranged from traditional liberal arts and social constructionist values, while liberal arts students appeared to endorse these values more strongly over their undergraduate years. Some implications for understanding the broader effects of university curricula and experience upon students are suggested. Results suggested that undergraduate business education, for example, might well be enhanced through curriculum reform based on the goals of liberal arts education. Some implications of the results for student counseling and psychotherapy are outlined.