Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department / School

Counseling and Human Development

Abstract

Engineering education has been dealing with a significant gender discrepancy for many years. This study attempted to determine if the lack of female students in engineering education may be related to gender-related patterns in intellectual development. Participants were asked to rank 24 character strengths from most important to least important. Results were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test to determine if there were significant differences in the rankings of the 24 strengths between male and female engineering students. Results indicated that three of the strengths were significantly different between male and female engineering students. Creativity was ranked significantly higher by males while love and gratitude were ranked significantly higher by females. These results were compared with the gender- related pattern in intellectual development identified by Marcia Baxter Magolda. Other implications are also identified.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Engineering students -- Sex differences

Knowledge, Theory of

Learning

Virtues

Character

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

103

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Share

COinS