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The relationship of computer self-efficacy expectations to computer interest and course enrollment in college

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Abstract

Gender differences in perceived self-efficacy for computer use may help account for differential computer interest and course enrollment at the college level. Three hundred sixty-eight students completed a two-page questionnaire assessing perceived computer self-efficacy, plans to take a computer science course, perceived importance of computing skills, and interest in learning about computers. Men rated themselves higher than did women for perceived self-efficacy. They were also more positive on the cognitive outcome measures, but with computer self-efficacy held constant, the magnitude of these differences was decreased, suggesting that perceived self-efficacy may be an important consideration when examining gender differences in computer interest and use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, San Jose State University, 95192, San Jose, California

    Irene T. Miura

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  1. Irene T. Miura
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Additional information

The author wishes to thank Dr. Martin Ford and Dr. Albert Bandura for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this article. This research was supported by a grant from the San Jose State University Foundation. Portions of this research were reported at the annual meetings of the American Educational Research Association in San Francisco, April 1986.

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Miura, I.T. The relationship of computer self-efficacy expectations to computer interest and course enrollment in college. Sex Roles 16, 303–311 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289956

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