Motivating Girls to Persist in EMS

Key Concepts from Developmental Psychology Relevant to Girls’ Persistence in Engineering, Math and Science Careers

Extrinsic v. Intrinsic MotivationPersistence in the face of challenging circumstances is highest for goals that are valued in themselves rather than when striving for the goal is a means to another end.

Intrinsic ExtrinsicGirls who like being Girls who are following technically competent, parental pressure, advice solving problems, about better paying jobs, or using their skills trying to “prove” something

So we need to look at how much girls value the process (and results) of solving problems, using complex equipment and math skills, etc, and determine what enhances it.

Identity

Studies in developmental psychology show that, among students with adequate aptitude for EMS studies, girls get derailed from following through more often than boys, because it is not part of their core selves—their identity.

IdentityDefinition: Identity is a complex process of thought and emotion that includes all of these components:

•self concept–perceptions one has about her own traits, talents, weaknesses, etc.

•remembered younger self

•anticipated future self (selves)

•perception of one’s social world as having some “niche” into which the perceived self can fit and belong.

IdentityThus, identity:

•includes multiple aspects of the self such as occupation, life style, gender role beliefs, attitudes about family roles, etc.

•involves perceiving the self and perceiving the world equally

•is attained only gradually, after a process of experimenting alternative “possible selves.”

Possible SelvesDefinition:. Possible selves are our imagined future selves–both those we very much would like to be and those we fear becoming .

A major challenge in development is the integration of all the different roles we play currently and all of these possible selves into a coherent stable sense of sameness and coherence over time and through our various life components.

To do this is to achieve identity.

Possible SelvesTheoretical Implications: Persistence in EMS careers will be a function of having EMS as a clear possible self which is compatible with the other components of self...friend, girlfriend, daughter, social activist....etc.

Practical Implications: We may wish to assess the extent to which girls see EMS behaviors and skills and attainments as “possible self” components for them

Assessing EMS as Possible SelfItems can be quantitative ratings of statements such as:

•“having my own lab.” •“creating a new computer product” •“being part of a team that builds things”.

Students can rate how much these statements describe them in the future, how important it would be for them to do so and how likely they believe it is that they will do so, etc.