Peer Effects on Students' Major Transfer Decisions

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Peer Effects on Students' Major Transfer Decisions
Language: English
Authors: Pu, Shi, Zhang, Liang
Source: AERA Online Paper Repository. 2016.
Availability: AERA Online Paper Repository. Available from: American Educational Research Association. 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-238-3200; Fax: 202-238-3250; e-mail: subscriptions@aera.net; Web site: http://www.aera.net
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 82
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Peer Influence, Undergraduate Students, Majors (Students), Decision Making, Academic Persistence, Dropouts, Foreign Countries, Probability
Geographic Terms: China
Abstract: We used housing data from a Chinese college to examine peer effects on students' major persistence and major choices after dropping out of their initial majors. Random checks were performed to ensure that student peers--dormitory roommates and social group mates--were randomly assigned according to a few known factors. In addition, two peer groups with different peer-to-peer relations allowed us to observe whether close peer relations were more influential than acquaintances in major transfer decisions. Results indicated strong peer effects on students' major transfer. Having more peers in the same major moderately increased students' persistence rate in their initial majors. In addition, when one's peers in the same major dropped out of their initial major, he or she became more prone to dropping out as well. Students' choices of destination major after leaving their initial majors were also affected by the major choice of their transferred peers. Finally, peer effects were stronger when students had closer peer relations.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Access URL: https://www.aera.net/Publications/Online-Paper-Repository/AERA-Online-Paper-Repository
Accession Number: ED592219
Database: ERIC
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