Gender differences in academic entitlement among college students
Keith D Ciani1, Jessica J Summers, Matthew A Easter
1University of Missouri, College of Education, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, 16 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA . kdcgd4@mizzou.edu
The Journal of Genetic Psychology
|December 17, 2008
Summary
College men report higher academic entitlement than women. This gender difference in entitlement beliefs was consistent across different classes and did not change during a semester-long course.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Contemporary research suggests a rise in entitlement among college students.
- Previous studies indicate potential gender differences in entitlement perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in academic entitlement among undergraduate students.
- To examine whether entitlement beliefs vary across academic settings.
- To determine if college coursework influences entitlement perceptions.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Survey data from 1229 undergraduates across 18 classes at a large midwestern university.
- Study 2: Survey data from 93 undergraduates before and after a semester-long course.
- Statistical analysis to compare entitlement levels between genders and across different academic contexts.
Main Results:
- Men reported significantly higher academic entitlement than women.
- This gender difference in entitlement was consistent across all surveyed classes.
- Entitlement levels did not significantly change over the course of a semester for either gender.
Conclusions:
- Academic entitlement may be higher in college men compared to women.
- The college environment, as studied, does not appear to significantly alter these gender-based entitlement perceptions.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of academic entitlement in higher education.
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