Jay W. Brandenberger

Experiencing the Unexpected: Toward a Model of College Diversity Experiences and Attitude Change

Although numerous studies have examined the relationship between college diversity experiences and student outcomes, very little attention has been paid to the mechanism(s) underlying this development. This paper proposes a model of the psychological process through which college diversity experiences affect student attitudes and examines that model empirically using a sample of 387 students who completed service-learning courses. Structural equation modeling analyses indicate that diversity interactions are associated with “experiencing the unexpected,” which then contributes both to a subjective sense of belief challenge and to attitude change. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

The Long-Term Effects of College Diversity Experiences: Well-Being and Social Concerns 13 Years After Graduation

Many college administrators and researchers assert that diversity interactions are critical for preparing young adults for a diverse society, but very little research has examined the long-term impact of these experiences. This study examines a longitudinal sample of college students (n = 416) who were followed into their mid-30s. Structural equation modeling analyses indicate that college engagement with racial/cultural diversity has a positive, indirect effect on personal growth, purpose in life, recognition of racism, and volunteer work 13 years after graduation.

Change You Can Believe In Changes in Goal Setting During Emerging and Young Adulthood Predict Later Adult Well-Being

A widely held assumption is that changes in one’s goals and motives for life during emerging and young adulthood have lasting influences on well-being into adulthood. However, this claim has yet to receive rigorous empirical testing. The current study examined the effects of prosocial and occupational goal change during college on adult well-being in a 17-year study of goal setting (N = 416). Using a latent growth model across three time points, both level and growth in goal setting predicted later well-being. Moreover, goal changes both during college and in young adulthood uniquely predicted adult well-being, controlling for goal levels entering college. These findings suggest that what matters for attaining adult well-being is both how you enter adulthood and how you change in response to it.

The effects of off-campus service learning on the moral reasoning of college students

This research examines the effects of an off-campus service learning program on the moral reasoning development of college students. A pre–post quasi-experimental design was employed with two groups of college students (aged 18–22), one that engaged in service learning and the other which did not. The intervention was an eight-week summer service project that took place in one of several cities in the US, coupled with a continuing reflection component completed during the fall semester following the service project. The service learning and comparison groups completed the Defining Issues Test (DIT-2) before and after the service learning course. Findings revealed no differences between the two groups’ pre-test moral reasoning scores. Regarding post-test scores, the service learning group had statistically significant higher moral reasoning than the comparison group.

Prosocial Growth during College: Results of a National Study.

Ethical growth and prosocial development are increasingly salient learning outcomes in higher education. Previous research has shown that the traditional college years facilitate moral development, especially with respect to moral reasoning. This research examined the impact of college experiences on students’ sense of active responsibility for others—prosocial orientation—via a longitudinal, multi-institutional design through the Spirituality and Higher Education project at University of California, Los Angeles. Data from over 14,000 undergraduates show that key college experiences predict growth on prosocial outcomes. Especially salient predictors include active forms of learning, engagement with diversity and other means by which students encounter multiple perspectives. Implications for higher education are discussed.

Perspective Transformation Through College Summer Service Immersion Programs: Is Learning Enhanced by Sustained Engagement?

Abstract Summer offers the opportunity for sustained community engagement through immersions in summer service-learning programs. A group of 16 colleges and universities that sponsor domestic and international summer service initiatives have formed a Summer Service Collaborative (SSC) to enhance preparation, immersion, and follow-up in light of the unique parameters of summer service-learning. SSC members developed a shared assessment rubric and a pre/post-immersion survey for student participants to evaluate what students learn about poverty, diversity, and civic engagement over the course of summer service-learning experiences. Findings suggest three key areas of student learning and indicate that greater length of engagement coupled with reflection elements create perspective transformation on understanding of social justice for participants.

Moral development: Theory and applications

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