Abstract

ABSTRACTSubject choices in secondary education are important decisions, since they critically determine the tertiary fields of study that pupils can pursue. Multiple variables may play a role in pupils’ decisions, such as their social environment and attitudes. The current study investigated subject choice intentions using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Fishbein & Ajzen, 2010). Structural equation modelling was used to investigate TPB for Dutch students in senior general and pre-university education (N = 1295). A new model with second-order factors accommodated the high correlations between the latent constructs. The new second-order factors were referred to as considerations (determined by attitude, subjective norm and perceived control) and beliefs (behavioral, normative and control beliefs). In total, 90.3% of the variance in choice intention was determined by considerations; students’ attitudes were the most important factor. Considering a broad spectrum of beliefs and considerations seems desirable when guiding students in their subject choices.

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