The effects of the first year of college on undergraduates' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior Ryan David Padgett , University of Iowa Follow

[摘要] The present study examines the effects of first-year college experiences on undergraduate students" development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior - a critical college outcome that leads to significant public or external benefits and support. Furthermore, this study examines whether the effects of first-year college experiences on altruistic and socially responsible behavior vary between first-generation and non-first-generation students. To guide the study"s investigation, human, social, and cultural capital theory are used as conceptual frameworks and college impact models - including Astin"s Input-Environment-Outcome model, Pascarella"s General Model for Assessing Change model, and Weidman"s model of undergraduate socialization - serve as a theoretical guide. Using longitudinal, pretest-posttest data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, ordinary least squares regressions are utilized to estimate the effects of the college experience on first-year students" altruism and social responsibility. Findings from these analyses suggest that a number of first-year college experiences and participation in vetted good practices significantly contribute to undergraduates" development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior.