| While reviewing previous research on the interests and values of engineering students, two themes emerged: (a) there is disagreement on whether interests and values are two separate constructs and (b) although there are studies that compare the interests and values of engineering majors and engineers to other majors and occupations, no studies have been found which focus on the relationship of interests and values within and among fields of engineering. The present study investigated the relationship between the Self-Directed Search, an interest inventory constructed on a model of six personality types, and the Values Scale, a values inventory, for students in different engineering fields.; One hundred and sixty-five undergraduate engineering students, 125 males and 39 females, at The University of Tennessee completed an assessment packet. The sample for the study included students from eleven engineering fields: Aerospace (n = 5), Biomedical (n = 11), Chemical (n = 27), Civil (n = 24), Computer (n = 7), Electrical (n = 26), Engineering Physics (n = 2), Engineering Science (n = 1), Industrial (n = 29), Material Science and Engineering (n = 5), and Mechanical (n = 27).; Several significant results were found after investigating three research questions. The majority of the findings on the relationship between the personality types and values, were either expected or could be explained by examining the definitions of the values and applying them to the engineering sample. Gender differences were found regarding scores on the personality types and values factors. Males had higher scores on the Realistic and Investigative types and the Physical Prowess values factor, while females had higher scores on the Conventional type. Those who participated in Cooperative Education had higher scores on the Conventional type while those students who did not had higher scores on the Realistic type and Physical Prowess values factor.; Some research on the relationship between personality types and specific engineering majors was confirmed in the present study. Results indicated that the Conventional type varied by major; yet, this result could not be adequately explored using the personality profiles listed for the engineering majors in The College Majors Finder (Rosen, Helmberg, & Holland, 1989). Finally, additional analyses highlighted the differences in scores on the personality types and values factors within engineering fields. |
