Choosing Psychology or Avoiding Mathematics: Integrating the Effects of Aligning and Diverging Interest Patterns on Study Choice

A good person – environment (PE) interest fit between a student and a (major) study program improves study outcomes. Indeed, PE interest fit empowers study counseling, supporting students to achieve greater satisfaction and better performance in the chosen program. However, existing PE interest fit methods focus exclusively on aligning patterns with programs of interest, while overlooking how students diverge from programs that are less of interest. To update literature, the present study ( N = 14,175 students, n = 31 study programs) operationalizes and measures PE interest fit using logistic regression PE interest fit (LRIF). This LRIF represents both alignment to a specific program as well as divergence from other programs. Our results show that LRIF renders a stronger criterion validity regarding study choice compared to more established methods like profile correlation. In doing so, LRIF also yields upgraded incumbent E (environment) - profiles that represent both choosing a specific program as well as not choosing other programs. We consider that such an LRIF incumbent E − profile contributes to a stronger PE interest fit concept.