The present study examines the effects of first-year college experiences on undergraduate students' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior - a critical college outcome that leads to significant public or external benefits and support. Furthermore, this study examines whether the effects of first-year college experiences on altruistic and socially responsible behavior vary between first-generation and non-first-generation students. To guide the study's investigation, human, social, and cultural capital theory are used as conceptual frameworks and college impact models - including Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome model, Pascarella's General Model for Assessing Change model, and Weidman's model of undergraduate socialization - serve as a theoretical guide. Using longitudinal, pretest-posttest data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, ordinary least squares regressions are utilized to estimate the effects of the college experience on first-year students' altruism and social responsibility. Findings from these analyses suggest that a number of first-year college experiences and participation in vetted good practices significantly contribute to undergraduates' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uiowa.edu/oai:ir.uiowa.edu:etd-2437 |
| Date | 01 January 2011 |
| Creators | Padgett, Ryan David |
| Contributors | Paulsen, Michael B., Pascarella, Ernest T. |
| Publisher | University of Iowa |
| Source Sets | University of Iowa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Copyright 2011 Ryan David Padgett |
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