Table_1_Gendered Pathways Toward STEM Careers: The Incremental Roles of Work Value Profiles Above Academic Task Values.DOCX

Drawing on Eccles' expectancy-value model of achievement-related choices, we examined how work values predict individual and gender differences in sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) participations in early adulthood (ages of 25/27, 6 or 8 years after postsecondary school), controlling for subjective task values attached to academic subjects in late adolescence (11th grade, age 18). The study examined 1,259 Finnish participants using a person-oriented approach. Results showed that: (a) we could identify four profile groups based on five core work values (society, family, monetary, career prospects, and working with people); (b) work-value profiles predicted young adults actual STEM participation in two fields: math-intensive and life science occupations above and beyond academic task values (e.g., math/science) and background information; (c) work-value profiles also differentiate between those who entered support- vs. professional-level STEM jobs; and (d) gender differences in work value profiles partially explained the differential representation of women across STEM sub-disciplines and the overall underrepresentation of women in STEM fields.

本研究借鉴埃克尔斯的成就相关选择期望价值模型（Eccles' expectancy-value model of achievement-related choices），探讨工作价值观如何预测成年早期（25/27岁，即高等教育毕业后6至8年）的科学、技术、工程与数学（STEM）参与情况中的个体差异与性别差异，同时控制青少年晚期（11年级，18岁）阶段与学术科目相关的主观任务价值观。本研究采用个体取向（person-oriented）研究方法，对1259名芬兰受试者展开分析。结果显示：(a) 基于五大核心工作价值观——社会价值、家庭价值、物质回报、职业发展前景以及与人共事，可识别出四类特征画像群体；(b) 工作价值观画像能够在控制学术任务价值观（如数学/科学）与背景信息的基础上，进一步预测年轻成年人在两大STEM领域的实际参与情况：数学密集型职业与生命科学类职业；(c) 工作价值观画像还能够区分进入STEM领域支持性岗位与专业技术岗位的群体；(d) 工作价值观画像层面的性别差异，能够部分解释STEM各子学科间女性参与比例的不均衡现象，以及STEM领域整体的女性代表性不足问题。