Abstract
Western societies stress the potential for anyone, irrespective of social background, to improve their position within society. However, disadvantaged students face barriers in gaining a good education. Two studies in secondary schools show how perceptions of identity compatibility and anticipated fit influence students’ university choices. It was found that relatively disadvantaged students scored lower on identity compatibility, and that low scores on identity compatibility were associated with lower anticipated fit at a local selective (Study 1) or highly selective (Study 2) university. Anticipated fit, in turn, predicted the type of university to which participants wanted to apply; those who anticipated fitting in more at selective universities were more likely to apply to higher status universities. These relations were significant while controlling for academic achievement. Together, these studies suggest that social identity factors play a relevant role in explaining higher education choices among low-status group members.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 371-389 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Group Processes and Intergroup Relations |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Apr 2019 |
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Keywords
- UT-Hybrid-D
- individual mobility
- social identity
- socioeconomic status
- high-status universities
Cite this
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Accounting for unequal access to higher education : The role of social identity factors. / Nieuwenhuis, Marlon; Manstead, Antony S.R.; Easterbrook, Matthew J.
In: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, Vol. 22, No. 3, 07.04.2019, p. 371-389.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Accounting for unequal access to higher education
T2 - The role of social identity factors
AU - Nieuwenhuis, Marlon
AU - Manstead, Antony S.R.
AU - Easterbrook, Matthew J.
N1 - Sage deal
PY - 2019/4/7
Y1 - 2019/4/7
N2 - Western societies stress the potential for anyone, irrespective of social background, to improve their position within society. However, disadvantaged students face barriers in gaining a good education. Two studies in secondary schools show how perceptions of identity compatibility and anticipated fit influence students’ university choices. It was found that relatively disadvantaged students scored lower on identity compatibility, and that low scores on identity compatibility were associated with lower anticipated fit at a local selective (Study 1) or highly selective (Study 2) university. Anticipated fit, in turn, predicted the type of university to which participants wanted to apply; those who anticipated fitting in more at selective universities were more likely to apply to higher status universities. These relations were significant while controlling for academic achievement. Together, these studies suggest that social identity factors play a relevant role in explaining higher education choices among low-status group members.
AB - Western societies stress the potential for anyone, irrespective of social background, to improve their position within society. However, disadvantaged students face barriers in gaining a good education. Two studies in secondary schools show how perceptions of identity compatibility and anticipated fit influence students’ university choices. It was found that relatively disadvantaged students scored lower on identity compatibility, and that low scores on identity compatibility were associated with lower anticipated fit at a local selective (Study 1) or highly selective (Study 2) university. Anticipated fit, in turn, predicted the type of university to which participants wanted to apply; those who anticipated fitting in more at selective universities were more likely to apply to higher status universities. These relations were significant while controlling for academic achievement. Together, these studies suggest that social identity factors play a relevant role in explaining higher education choices among low-status group members.
KW - UT-Hybrid-D
KW - individual mobility
KW - social identity
KW - socioeconomic status
KW - high-status universities
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064192439&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1368430219829824
DO - 10.1177/1368430219829824
M3 - Article
VL - 22
SP - 371
EP - 389
JO - Group processes & intergroup relations
JF - Group processes & intergroup relations
SN - 1368-4302
IS - 3
ER -