Background Research in Student Enrolment

Most studies of student enrollment behavior have been conducted by educational researchers with backgrounds in either psychology, sociology, or economics. These disciplines offer somewhat different perspectives and conceptual foundations for the study of college choice behavior. Psychologists emphasize the psychological environment, or climate, of an institution, its impact on students, and student-institution fit (Astin 1965). Sociologists view the formation of college-going aspirations as part of a general status attainment process. Economists view college attendance decisions as a form of investment-like decision-making behavior (Jackson 1978).