Pupils Expectations and Subject Choice

Abstract

Abstarct This paper reports an investigation into the expectations on which third form pupils based their choices of subjects to study for ‘O’ level and CSE examinations, and compares these with the criteria which fourth year pupils suggested that the third years ought to take account of in choosing their subjects. In addition to the Junior Eysenck Personality Inventory, a new forced choice instrument, the Expectation Preference Inventory was devised and administered to 345 comprehensive school pupils. The results provide a rank order of all pupils’ criteria used to make subject choices, and also reveal quite large differences between third and fourth years in the degree of importance attached to peer group influences, teacher characteristics and previous success in the subject. The conclusions indicate the need for more formal channels of communication to be set up between third and fourth year pupils in relation to subject choice, and suggest that introverted pupils may be more influenced than extroverted pupils by previous success and by considerations of friendship in their choice of subjects.