Differences between Education and Business Students in Cooperative and Competitive Attitudes, Emotional Empathy, and Self-Esteem

To compare undergraduate men and women enrolled in education and business classes regarding cooperative attitude, competitive attitude, emotional empathy, and self-esteem, four paper-and-pencil measures were administered. The 126 students in education scored higher on cooperative attitude and emotional empathy, while the 109 students in business scored higher on competitive attitude and self-esteem. Women scored higher than men on cooperative attitude and emotional empathy. There was no difference in competitive attitude between men and women when the effect of school was removed, and there was no difference in self-esteem between men and women. Findings are discussed and recommendations made for research into factors responsible for the observed differences and teaching strategies appropriate for education of these students.