Academic and Cocurricular Involvement: Their Relationship and the Best Combinations for Student Growth

This study poses two questions that grow out of the student involvement theory: First, what is the relationship between different forms of involvement? Second, what are the optimal amounts and combinations of different forms of involvement for students' cognitive and affective growth? Involvement in academic work and involvement in student clubs and organizations are used to explore these two questions. The participants are 627 third-year college students in Taiwan. The results show that the correlation between academic and cocurricular involvement is positive and linear. Also, to maximize cognitive and affective growth, students should be involved in both academic and cocurricular activities as much as possible.