A comparative study of Israeli female students in nontraditional (engineering) and traditional (humanities) fields of study

This study examined the personality characteristics, demographic variables, and sex-role orientation of Israeli women studying engineering as compared to women studying humanities and males studying engineering. Altogether, the sample population consisted of 181 students. The instruments utilized were the Holland's Self-Directed Search questionnaire, a demographic inventory, and the Sex-Role Orientation Attitude questionnaire. Female students in engineering were significantly more feminist in their orientation; most of them had Realistic or Investigative personality types; their parents had a university degree and their fathers had technical occupations. There were no significant differences between male and female engineering students with regard to personality and demographic variables. Implications for female education and policies are discussed.