Name: Eleanore Walsh
Live Poster Session: Zoom Link
Abstract: Self-determination theory describes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness for fostering individual well-being. Autonomy, or perceived life control, is directly correlated with life satisfaction. Life satisfaction level is based on a variety of factors, including neurophysiology, psychology, and economics. The highest level of education an individual has received has significant implications for their neurophysiology and psychology, and income level has significant implications for individual economics. There is conflicting evidence regarding the effect of education on happiness and perceived life control. While the objective of pursuing higher education is often to open up more vocational opportunities, and as such, increase life control and happiness, these opportunities may not always pay as much as one may desire. The frustration of unmet income expectations after pursuing higher education may ultimately decrease happiness. Some research has indicated that the relationship between education and income is most evident when income is introduced as a mediating variable. No large-scale research as of yet has investigated the correlation between education, income, and perceived life control, despite the fact that education and income provide life opportunities. This study investigates the extent to which income and education individually, and then income and education in tandem, are predictive of perceived life control. Results indicate a correlation between income, education, and perceived life control, but did not indicate the necessity of considering income as a mediating variable for the association between education and percieved life control. Additionally, results indicated a notable gender difference in perceived life control across all income and education levels.
QACPoster-1