What Matters in College?: Four Critical Years Revisited

by Alexander W. Astin

Overview

From the author of Four Critical Years—a book the Journal of Higher Education called the most cited work in higher education literature—What Matters in College? presents the definitive study of how students change and develop in college and how colleges can enhance that development. Based on a study of more than 20,000 students, 25,000 faculty members, and 200 institutions, the book shows how academic programs, faculty, student peer groups, and other variables affect students' college experiences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787908386
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	01/31/1997
Series:	Higher & Adult Education Series
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.04(h) x 1.29(d)

About the Author

ALEXANDER W. ASTIN is professor of higher education and director of the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. He lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Paperback Edition xi

Preface xix

The Author xxix

1 Studying College Impact 1

2 Environmental Variables 32

3 Assessing Environmental Effects: A Prototypical Example 83

4 Personality and Self-Concept 105

5 Attitudes, Value, and Beliefs 141

6 Patterns of Behavior 165

7 Academic and Cognitive Development 186

8 Career Development 245

9 Satisfaction with the College Environment 273

10 Summary of Environmental Effects 312

11 Effects of Involvement 365

12 Implications for Educational Theory and Practice 396

Resource A: Multiple Correlations at Selected Steps 438

Resource B: Longitudinal Changes in the Weighted and Unweighted Samples 442

References 447

Index 457

Editorial Reviews

"An essential addition for the library of any college administrator, faculty member, or student affairs professional. It cuts through many of the myths in higher education with data-driven observations and conclusions. It is one of the best of its kind on the market. If you are invloved in the higher education enterprise, it is a must."

From the Publisher

Addresses a wide range of issues pertaining to traditional-age college undergraduates who enter college soon after completing high school, showing how cognitive and affective outcomes are affected by student peer group experiences and by the faculty's values, interests, and styles of teaching. Intended primarily for faculty, administrators, and policy makers. Other than making evident the wide variety of factors influencing student success, the abundance of data will probably not be helpful to people who are trying to choose a college. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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