Description
An individual's worldview represents their cultural, ideological, and theological conceptions. A worldview encases personal belief and value systems. Moreover, these values precipitate an individual's actions. The Worldview Satisfaction Measure is a new valid and reliable survey instrument which assesses a student's worldviews. The distribution resulted in a sample of 410 sophomore and junior level students from a Southern California secular university. Quantitative analysis shows that there is no apparent alignment between postsecondary sophomore and junior student worldviews and university satisfaction or with a student's choice of major. Student overall satisfaction is moderate to very high at the examined institution. A path analysis reflects that 40% of the variation in overall satisfaction is accounted for when considering the following variables: (a) the degree to which a student perceives that their ideas were taken seriously; (b) when students recognize that their family economic status is upper-middle class; satisfaction with (c) opportunity to reflect spiritually and religiously; (d) amount of interaction with other students; (e) relevance of coursework to the future; (f) coursework in relation to life; and (g) with university counseling and advising services. Development of satisfaction is not necessarily an indication of a quality education. Categorical analysis reveals noteworthy variations between a student's religious or secular identity and their corresponding worldviews. Recommendations include the development of curriculum, which assesses the coherence of thought, along with a neo-classical general education program with evidence captured in capstone evaluations, minors, or other certifications. Faculty and student development should be based in reflection of worldviews and personal values within broader scientific, ideological, and theological frames. Keywords: Worldviews, Student Satisfaction, Higher Education, Student Engagement, Student Choice of Major, Religion, Spirituality, Social Constructionism.
