LE3 .A278 2005

2005

Symons, Doug

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

The present study examined cultural differences in academic motivation, family pressure, career commitment, and acculturation in university students. Participants consisted of 36 Canadian students and 38 international students. For some comparisons, international students were further divided into 20 students from the Caribbean and 16 students from China. All participants answered questions regarding reasons for attending university, career selection considerations, parental attitudes towards education, financial dependence, family origin, and attitudes towards family obligations. Acculturation was assessed in Caribbean and Chinese students through a measure designed to evaluate intercultural interactions in university, and motivation was assessed from extrinsic, intrinsic, and amotivated orientations. Results indicated that there were cultural differences between motivational orientations. Chinese students were significantly more amotivated than Canadian and Caribbean students. Caribbean students scored significantly lower on intrinsic – to know motivation than Canadian and Chinese students. Results also indicated that cultural differences exist on measures of family pressure and career choice commitment. In general, Chinese students scored significantly higher on perceived parental expectations and career commitment than Caribbean and Canadian students. Cultural differences were also present in how family pressure and career choice commitment correlated to motivational orientation. Finally, Caribbean students were found to be more acculturated to Canadian culture than were Chinese students. The results of the present study suggest that cultural differences exist not only between Canadian and international students, but between different cultures within the international student population as well.

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