Abstract
In two studies, personality, role concepts, and attitudes distinguished wives and mothers who decided to resume college from those who did not. College women and women about to resume college had more self-actualizing, achievement-oriented, and dominant personalities (California Psychological Inventory); broader, more personalized role concepts; more liberal attitudes; better educated husbands; and fewer children than housewives. Measurements before college return and during the second year at college indicated that college exposure did not significantly affect these variables. The single exception was that after college exposure, women no longer saw society as supporting their efforts to actualize their potentials.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bailyn, L. Notes on the role of choice in the psychology of professional women. Daedalus, 1964, 93, 700–710.
Bart, P. B. Depression in middle-aged women. In V. Gornick & B. K. Moran (Eds.), Woman in sexist society. New York: Basic Books, 1971.
Baruch, R. The achievement motive in women: Implications for career development. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1967, 5(3), 260–267.
Clarkson, F. E., Vogel, S. R., Broverman, I. K., & Broverman, D. M. Family size and sex-role stereotypes. Science, 1970, 167(3917), 390–392.
Curlee, J. Alcoholism and the “empty nest.” Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 1969, 33(3), 165–171.
Erikson, E. H. Childhood and society. New York: Norton, 1963.
Farley, J. Graduate women: Career aspirations and desired family size. American Psychologist, 1970, 25(12), 1099–1100.
Ginzberg, E., & associates. Life styles of educated women. New York: Columbia University Press, 1966.
Gough, H. G. California Psychological Inventory. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1956.
Gough, H. G. Manual for the California Psychological Inventory. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1964.
Gysbers, M. C., Johnston, J. A., & Gust, T. Characteristics of homemaker and career-oriented women. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1968, 15, 541–546.
Maslow, A. H. Motivation and personality (2nd ed.). New York: Harper and Row, 1970.
Matthews, E., & Tiedeman, D. V. Attitudes toward career and marriage and the development of life style in young women. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1964, 11(4), 375–384.
Rogers, C. B. On becoming a person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1961.
Weil, M. W. An analysis of the factors influencing married women's actual or planned work participation. American Sociological Review, 1961, 26(1), 91–96.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
O'Connell, A.N. The decision to return to college: Role concepts, personality, attitudes, and significant others. Sex Roles 3, 229–240 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287612
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287612