Expressed vocational choice and vocational indecision.

Equally divided 232 male and female college students into 4 groups based on their responses to the Occupational Alternatives Question. Groups were composed of Ss who had a 1st choice and no alternatives, a 1st choice plus alternatives, no 1st choice but alternatives, and neither a 1st choice nor alternatives. The hypothesis tested was that these groups would differ on dependent variables related to vocational decision making. No significant differences were found on socioeconomic status or on J. L. Holland's constructs of consistency, differentiation, or congruence with career choice. Significant group differences were found on congruence with college major, total number of Vocational Preference Inventory responses, and scales measuring satisfaction with college major and career choice. Significant differences were also found on 2 recent scales measuring vocational indecision; the Vocational Decision Making Difficulty Scale and the Career Decision Scale. Significant sex differences indicate that females were more congruent and satisfied with their college majors. Implications of the results for future research and vocational counseling are examined. (43 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of matching treatment approaches and personality types in group vocational counseling.

40 university students were identified as either people oriented (PO) or task oriented (TO), on the basis of their responses to the Vocational Preference Inventory. Half of the PO Ss were given group vocational counseling using a learning through interaction method (LTI), and the other half were counseled through a learning through individual problem solving method (LTIPS). Similarly, half of the TO Ss were counseled through LTI and half through LTIPS. Counseling approaches that were congruent with personality types (i.e., LTIPS approach with TO Ss and LTI with PO Ss) were more effective than counseling approaches that did not match personality type. Effectiveness was measured in terms of amount of occupational information sought by Ss, Ss' evaluation of the group experience, and scores on the Attitude scale of the Career Maturity Inventory. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of the Occupational Choice Strategy on the career development of rehabilitation clients.

Examination of the impact of an occupational choice strategy (OCS) on the career development of clients in a comprehensive rehabilitation center indicates that the 20 participants (aged 17–53 yrs) in OCS scored consistently higher than did the 20 control Ss on career decidedness, vocational identity, vocational self-awareness, vocational knowledge, and readiness for vocational planning. OCS Ss were also more likely than controls to persist in their rehabilitation programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation of career indecision to career exploration with reentry women: A treatment and follow-up study.

61 career-decided and 60 career-undecided 30–68 yr old women reentering the job market were randomly assigned to a vocational card sort (VCS) treatment group, a VCS-plus-videotape treatment group, or a no-treatment control group to examine the relationship between career indecision and career exploration for reentry women. Career decidedness was measured by the My Vocational Situation scale. One-year follow-up questionnaires were collected from 102 Ss, and a variety of outcome measures were used, including a vocational needs questionnaire, a satisfaction opinionnaire, a satisfaction with career scale, and an occupational alternatives question. The percentage of Ss who were employed in their chosen occupations was examined. Results indicate that there were minimal treatment effects, supporting the salience of career indecision and its stability over time. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for career counseling. (56 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of a counseling outreach workshop on vocational development.

Studied the effects of a structured life-planning workshop geared to outreach or preventative vocational counseling on the career decisions of 64 male undergraduates. Behavioral and attitudinal measures derived from a career process model of career development were examined. Significant differences between experimental and control groups were found on behavioral measures of pre-post changes in information seeking, the total number of occupations Ss were considering, and the congruence of these alternatives with their measured interests. No changes were found in attitudes about choosing a career or perceptions of strengths and weaknesses. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of vocationally relevant information on the expressed and measured interests of freshman males.

46 undergraduate males from private and public school backgrounds who took the SVIB were classified as congruent or incongruent using a discrepancy method and administered a treatment consisting either of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and relevant vocational information (treatment) or an irrelevant task (control). All Ss were retested 1 wk later using the SVIB, and examined for level of posttest congruence. Results suggest that private boarding school Ss were less congruent than private day or public school graduates. A secondary analysis revealed that Ss initially classified as low congruent significantly and nonartifactually increased in congruence from pretest to posttest. It was further found that increases in congruence could be attributed to changes in measured interests rather than to changes in expressed choice. Counseling implications are discussed. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of informational valence and occupational favorability on vocational differentiation: A test of the disconfirmation hypothesis.

Disliked occupations and negative occupational information have been associated with higher levels of vocational differentiation. This study develops and tests a disconfirmation hypothesis that accounts for and qualifies both of these findings. Results of a 2 (gender)?×?2?(favorable vs unfavorable occupations)?×?3?(positive vs negative vs mixed valence information) between-Ss factorial design supported predictions; negative information was linked to higher vocational differentiation when Ss evaluated favorable occupational alternatives, and positive information was related to higher vocational differentiation only when Ss evaluated unfavorable occupations. Apparently, information that disconfirms prior career expectations increases vocational differentiation, whereas information that confirms prior expectations decreases vocational differentiation, providing a basis for reconceptualization of nearly 2 decades of work in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of three methods of group vocational counseling.

Superimposed a group discussion process over a typical vocational counseling process in which the primary focus was on test information, and over 2 atypical vocational counseling processes, one in which occupational information was primary and the other in which test information and occupational information were optional and randomly presented upon a group member's request. All Ss selected goals in the initial stages of counseling. 57 undergraduates were studied in 6 single-sex experimental groups and 2 control groups. Data from a levels-of-decision-making scale, the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, and the Kuder Occupational Preference Inventory show that the atypical groups learned significantly more and retained longer than did both the typical and control groups. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex and career decision-making styles.

Reports 3 studies with 116 undergraduates, 717 high school students, and 116 undergraduates, respectively, testing the hypothesis of greater reliance on the "intuitive style" by females and on the "planning" style by males in making career decisions. Ss in Study 1 took the Vocational Rating Scale and the Assessment of Career Decision-Making. Ss in Study 2 took the Career Decision Making Questionnaire (CDMQ) which included the 2 measures in the 1st study. Ss in Study 3 took the CDMQ and the Work Values Inventory. There were no sex differences in the high school and college Ss for stage or style of decision making, vocational self-concept crystallization, or self-rated vocational decisiveness. The planning style was most highly associated with vocational decisiveness, the "choice" stage of choosing an occupation, and with stronger "super" work values, particularly management, security, and prestige. Differential career counseling for the sexes does not appear indicated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence, distribution, and correlates of math anxiety in college students.

Investigated factors related to the prevalence and intensity of math anxiety in college students. 652 Ss in 2 math courses and 1 psychology course at a large university were tested on the Math Anxiety scale (part of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales), the A-Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory. Results indicate that math anxiety occurs frequently among college students and that it is more likely to occur among women than among men and among students with inadequate high school math backgrounds. Higher levels of math anxiety were related to lower mathematics achievement test scores, higher levels of test anxiety, and higher levels of trait anxiety. Implications for the identification and treatment of math-anxious students and for the process of educational/vocational counseling are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An occupational analysis of counseling psychology: How special is the specialty?

Conducted an occupational analysis of counseling psychology to determine the work that counseling psychologists do, their feelings toward their work, and their perceptions of how the field is changing. Questionnaire responses of 351 counseling psychologists (aged 28–86 yrs) were evaluated and compared in terms of demographic and work behavior information. Results indicate that Ss were, in general, strongly practice oriented and appeared to see themselves as engaged in psychotherapy and traditionally clinical activities with a reduced emphasis on academic and research-focused behaviors. This finding was particularly true of the younger respondents. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the counseling–clinical distinction and the scientist–practitioner model. It is concluded that counseling psychology appears to be an increasingly applied specialty and that vocational/career counseling appears to be eroding as the foundation of the discipline. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in styles of occupational identity formation in late adolescence.

Administered to 41 male and 42 female high school juniors and seniors an interview assessing identity status and questionnaires measuring vocational identity, social desirability, masculinity/femininity, and achievement motivation. On 2 identity measures, males and females had progressed equal distances toward the achievement of an occupational identity. However, for young men, vocational identity was positively related to masculinity and orientations toward mastery and lack of concern about the negative evaluations of others. On the identity interview, occupational exploration was related to femininity, and occupational commitment was related to masculinity and mastery. For young women, vocational identity was positively related to masculinity and an orientation toward hard work; vocational identity was negatively related to competitiveness. Over 40% of the Ss were identity achievers, exhibiting high levels of occupational exploration and commitment. Identity formation in the late high school years is discussed in terms of a relative equilibrium before the transition marked by leaving home. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multiple outcome evaluation of a life-career development course.

Examined the multiple effects of a life-career development course on 74 university students. The treatment was based on a comprehensive counseling model of "change agent career decision making." A modification of D. T. Campbell and J. C. Stanley's (1963) institutional cycle design and MANOVA was used for evaluating Ss' performance on 8 career inventories. The Ss were significantly more rational and less intuitive and dependent in their decision-making styles, more certain of their major and career choices, and more crystallized in their vocational self-concept. They also collected more career information and had fewer vocational identity problems as a result of the course. Inconsistent results were found with regard to the external locus of control and overcoming career barriers measures. The treatment did not seem to have an immediate impact on internal locus of control. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of structured psychodrama and systematic desensitization in reducing test anxiety.

36 students with examination anxiety took part in a study of the effectiveness of structured psychodrama and systematic desensitization in reducing test anxiety. Ss were randomly assigned to psychodrama, desensitization, or no-treatment control groups. All Ss were tested before and after the treatments on the Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale and the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Results show that Ss in both treatment groups significantly reduced their test-anxiety scores compared with the controls. This was also congruent with gains as tested in vivo. A comparison between the 2 treatments, however, shows no significant differences. Also, there were no statistical differences among the 3 groups in neuroticism either before or after the treatments. It is concluded that the structured psychodrama method is as effective a mode of counseling as systematic desensitization in treating test anxiety. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Holland type as a predictor of benefit from self-help career counseling.

Determining who would benefit from treatment interventions is an important issue for psychology in general and self-help approaches in particular. Holland high-point code and self-directed search (Holland, 1985b) scale scores were used to predict benefit from a self-help career counseling intervention for 52 students undecided as to career. Outcome was assessed by means of changes on the Vocational Identity Scale of Holland's My Vocational Situation (Holland, Daiger, & Power, 1980). Participants with realistic, investigative, or conventional high-point codes showed greater changes in vocational identity when compared with participants with artistic, social, or enterprising high-point codes. The results also indicated that higher scores on the Realistic, Investigative, and Conventional scales were related to greater changes in vocational identity. The results are discussed in relation to self-help for career concerns and the self-help field in general. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Career development status as a predictor of career intervention outcomes.

Relates career status measures (the Career Decision Scale, the Vocational Identity Scale, and the Career Maturity Inventory), goals for participating in career intervention, and ego strength (Barron Ego-Strength Scale) to 6 outcomes of the administration of the Self-Directed Search (SDS). Outcomes include satisfaction with the SDS, satisfaction with posttest career choice, congruence of expressed and measured interests, and 3 self-reported behavioral indices. 48 male and 64 female undergraduates served as Ss. Stepwise regressions indicated that outcomes for males could not be predicted as effectively as those for females. The Career Decision Scale, the Vocational Identity Scale, and ratings on the goal of obtaining training information were the best predictors. Most change occurred for females high on vocational identity; most satisfaction with the SDS and job choice was attained by those low in indecision on the Career Decision Scale. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State anxiety as a function of trait anxiety and sex in a quasi-clinical situation.

Undergraduates who scored high, medium, or low on a scale of trait (predispositional) anxiety (n = 7 males and 7 females in each group) differed reliably in level of state (situational) anxiety when tested before and after 2 standardized interviews. This relationship held for both male and female Ss, although males manifested consistently higher levels of state anxiety than females. Moreover, first an increase and then a general decline in degree of state anxiety were noted over occasions of testing. Despite these temporary fluctuations in situational anxiety, however, the basic form of the state-trait relationship remained largely unchanged. Findings are interpreted as substantive confirmation of state-trait anxiety theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Female college students' scores on the men's and women's Strong Vocational Interest Blanks.

Administered the men's and women's forms of the SVIB and a career orientation questionnaire to a sample of 90 undergraduate women. Significant differences were found between mean scores on Occupational scales common to both forms and on mean number of B+ and A ratings on the men's and women's forms. Occupational scale scores and number of B+ and A interest ratings were examined in relationship to career vs. homemaker orientation. Ss differentiated on the basis of career orientation obtained significantly different mean numbers of B+ and A interest ratings on the women's SVIB. Implications for vocational counseling are discussed, and use of both forms of the SVIB is recommended in vocational counseling with college women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of congruity between parental personality types on offspring's personality development.

Tested J. L. Holland's (1973) hypothesis that individual parents' personality types encourage similar personality development in offspring, focusing on the development of offspring personality types when both parents possess the same personality type. Personality types were determined according to occupational choices. Female offspring tended to develop personality types more congruent with their parental-pair type. The degrees of congruence between male offspring and their parents' personality types conformed to chance expectation. Findings are discussed in terms of cultural sex role expectations and implications for exploration in career counseling. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)