The Changing Face of Psychology: Leadership Aspirations of Female Doctoral Students

Given the increasing number of women entering the field of psychology, this study investigated the degree to which achievement motivation, leader identity, career salience, and willingness to compromise career for partner and children were predictive of leadership aspirations generally and in the American Psychological Association. Data from 202 female graduate students in counseling and clinical doctoral programs indicated that leader identity, career salience, and willingness to compromise career for children predicted overall leadership aspirations. Achievement motivation, leader identity, and career salience also predicted plans to pursue leadership positions in the American Psychological Association. Graduate students nearing the end of their doctoral programs were more willing to compromise career for children and prioritize their partner than women early in their program. The implications of these findings for research, training, and counseling are discussed.