O processo de escolha do curso superior: um estudo de caso entre os acadêmicos ingressantes na Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná em 2016

Abstract

The present dissertation proposed analyzing the determinants of the choice of undergraduate students of the State University of Western Parana Cascavel Campus / PR. Specifically, the objective was to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic and informational factors and the social influence of families and institutions in the choice process. The theoretical instrument used in this research was the Human Capital theory and using Behavioral Economics, as an alternative to the conception of instrumental rationality. It examines the decision-making processes of university students, identifying factors associated with behavioral rationality, such as when would the decision be taken, uncertainty, level of information, influences of different situations and institutions on behavior and expectations of future professional performance. The dissertation seeks to capture the reality of university selection processes by means of a survey, based on non-probabilistic sampling by quotas. The research totals the result of 452 questionnaires applied, corresponding to 63.2% of all university students that would be entering 19 undergraduate courses in the year 2016. As evidence found in the behavior of the university students that were surveyed, it identifies that, generally, they tend to be oriented to the present, to be partially informed, and also be influenced by the quality and prestige of the educational institution, personal fulfillment and opportunities in the labor market and financial ascension and affirm that they have made the right choice.