Sex Differences in Motivation,
Self-Concept, Career Aspiration, and
Career Choice: Implications for
Cognitive Development
Allan Wigfield
Ann Battle
Lisa B. Keller
Jacquelynne S. Eccles
In this chapter we discuss gender differences in motivation, self-concept, selfesteem, career aspirations, and occupational choice. We also consider how parents and teachers influence these variables and link these differences to sex differences in cognitive development. We focus on these personality constructs and social influences because we strongly believe that any observed sex differences in cognition (and participation in different careers) are due in part to sex differences in motivation, self-concept, and views on what are appropriate activities for males and females. As we discuss in more detail later, these constructs can have causal influences on cognitive outcomes, such as school achievement, and other important outcomes such as occupational choice. To understand gender differences in crucial outcomes in children's lives, motivation and self-concept need to be considered, along with the evolutionary and neurobiological factors considered by Geary, Fitch, and Bimonte in chapters 2 and 3 in this book, as well as the constructs considered by the other authors in this book. We primarily concentrate
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