Permanence of measured vocational interests of adult males.

For 109 males tested on the Strong VIB in 1931 and in 1941, permanence of interest was measured by (a) test-retest rank-order correlations over 44 occupational scales for each subject, (b) total score test-retest correlations for the 44 scales, (c) mean test-retest score difference for each scale, and (d) differences in group patterns from test to retest. "… vocational interests of adult males… are remarkably stable when permanence is measured by the 4 methods… ." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canonical relationships between vocational interests and personality of adult handicapped persons.

Canonical correlation analysis of 9 vocational interest scales and 16 personality scales of Form E of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) identified 3 dimensions of common variance for males and 3 dimensions for females, using 170 males and 182 females (aged 15–60 yrs) who applied for vocational rehabilitation services. Humanitarian sensitivity, productive ingenuity, and leadership capacity characterized the interest-personality intersection for males, while interpersonal dependence, creative anxiety, and male-oriented leadership were parallel constructs for females. It is concluded that higher-order vocational interest dimensions are meaningful expressions of temperamental characteristics and interpersonal styles of handicapped adults and that calculation of standard scores via computer provides a useful application of such information in vocational rehabilitation counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inventoried vocational interests of cartographers.

Studied the interests of 466 male cartographers to develop a cartographer scale for the Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB). Results show that (a) cartographers liked science, mathematics, and religious activities; (b) they were masculine and diverse and tended to dislike activities involving other people; and (c) their interests were most similar to those of computer programers, public administrators, Air Force officers, and physical therapists though none of those SVIB keys adequately portrayed the interests of the cartographers. The cartographer key developed was cross-validated on 2 cartographer samples drawn from other populations (n = 89) and was found to discriminate adequately between cartographers and men in general. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in changing sex-stereotyped vocational interests.

Tested the hypothesis of a cross-sex equalization of vocational interests in the college population (college women, in particular) by comparing 150 female and 150 male college counselees with the "women in general" and "men in general" samples of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory on all 153 General Theme, Basic Interest, and Occupational scales. Contrary to prediction, college females differed little from women in general; however, college males were significantly more interested in artistic areas of work and significantly less interested in realistic and enterprising areas than were men in general. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Life history correlates of vocational needs for a female adult sample.

According to vocational theory and practice, a relationship exists between vocational needs and life history developmental/experiential factors. A test of this hypothesis was conducted using self-report biodata and measured vocational needs. A 211-item Biographical Information Form (BIF) and the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIQ) were administered to 290 female adults (median age 29 yrs). A weighted BIF was developed to predict scores on each of the 20 MIQ need scales. Using a double cross-validation design, significant average validities were obtained for 19 of the 20 vocational need scales, ranging from .13 to .47, with a median of .35. The female prediction equations failed to generalize to a male sample (N?=?100), with only 1 of the 20 MIQ subscale prediction equations being validated. Further analysis showed the practical utility of the BIF as a substitute measure of vocational needs for this female sample. Implications for counseling practice and work adjustment theory are discussed. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measured vocational interests in relation to intraoccupational proficiency.

What is the relationship between vocational interests and occupational proficiency? Based on a study of shorthand skill involving 1100 female students, the data were subjected to statistical tests of significance and the linear regression predictive technique for cross-validation purposes. Tests employed included an interest inventory, a shorthand proficiency test, and an intelligence test plus a scale constructed to differentiate responses of superior and inferior criterion groups. The latter "worked": "Members of an occupational group can be classified on the basis of interests, with respect to quality of occupational performance." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Change in vocational interests after spinal cord injury.

117 males (aged 20–72 yrs) with spinal cord injury (SCI) completed an SCI questionnaire and 2 versions of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII), one with standardized instructions and one with instructions to recall interests from an earlier, preinjury age. Strong Vocational Interest Blanks taken prior to injury were located for 14 Ss. These provided direct evidence concerning stability of interests and suggested that the larger group was relatively accurate in the recall of preinjury interests. 130 age-matched males without SCI also completed the SCII twice to assess the presence of any variance uniquely associated with the preinjury recall method. Results show that the interests of SCI Ss were as stable as those of the non-SCI Ss and that changes that did occur were consistent with those found in nondisabled samples. It is suggested that the recall method is potentially useful for future research. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and vocational interests: The relation of Holland's six interest dimensions to five robust dimensions of personality.

Relations between interest-based personality dimensions from J. L. Holland's (1985) theory of vocational personalities and 5 robust factors of personality (R. R. McCrae and O. P. John; see record 1993-01496-001) were examined. Results for 479 male and 246 female US Navy trainees imply that the 6 theoretical scales of the Vocational Preference Inventory and 20 scales of the NEO Personality Inventory share 2–4 significant factors. Social and Enterprising vocational preferences were positively correlated with Extraversion; Investigative and Artistic preferences were positively correlated with Openness; and Conventional preferences were correlated with Conscientiousness. Examinations of correlations for instruments with scales that are assumed to represent facets of 5 general personality factors usually supported these interpretations. Despite their regularity, the vocational–personality correlations were too low to suggest that either form of assessment is a dependable substitute for the other. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On measuring the vocational interests of women.

Examined the structure of women's interests as shown by the SVIB, the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey, Holland's Vocational Preference Inventory, and the American College Testing Vocational Interest Profile. Analyses of the interrelationship of scales and of the interest patterns of women selecting various occupations support the similarity of the structure of women's interests to the structure previously found for men. It is suggested that this information be used to provide women with information about more and more diverse career options than are now commonly available. (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing vocational interests of those with epilepsy.

Assessed the vocational interests of 47 male and 24 female (post-high-school aged) hospital-affiliated outpatients with epilepsy, utilizing 9 scales from the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory. The scales included 6 general occupational theme scales (i.e., Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional), 2 special scales (i.e., Academic Orientation and occupational Introversion–Extroversion), and 1 basic interest scale (i.e., Adventure). Ss' scores were compared to those of the Strong-Campbell (1974) normative groups. Results show that the vocational interest scores of epileptics on the 6 occupational theme scales and 3 additional scales were not greatly different from those of the norm groups. When differences did occur, it appeared that males with epilepsy were affected: Males with major motor seizures and early seizure onset had lower Investigative scores, and males with major motor seizure had lower Academic Orientation scores, than did the nondisabled. These more impaired males appear at risk for restricted interests and may profit from supportive interventions that increase their range of life activity. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stability of vocational interests within nonprofessional occupations.

Tested the assumption that individuals' scores and criterion group characteristics for nonprofessional vocations remain stable over long periods of time. Navy Vocational Interest Inventory scores received by 208 Navy enlisted men in a variety of occupational specialties were compared with their retest scores obtained 5 yr. later. Results show substantial reliability of individual scores, paralleling reliabilities obtained with the SVIB. Comparisons of interest profiles of criterion groups tested in 1951 with those of men entering the same specialties 13 yr. later also showed considerable stability. Findings should be generalizable to the Minnesota Vocational Interest Inventory, a revision of the original inventory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality characteristics and sample bias.

Who fails to answer questionnaires? 176 college students took a questionnaire in 2 sessions; those who returned for the 2nd were compared with those who did not according to 3 scales and the Gough Home Index. "Lack of cooperation is associated with a family value orientation which emphasizes traditional male female sex roles, power relationships, and conventional morality and with personality characteristics which are related to expressions of authoritarianism, powerlessness, and anomie." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The vocational interests of American Psychological Association presidents.

The Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB) is one of the most widely used psychological instruments. The SVIB was developed by comparing the interests of men in specific occupations with a group of Men-in-General: To accomplish this it was, of course, necessary to collect completed SVIBs from men in a variety of occupations. For this purpose, between about 1925 and 1955, E. K. Strong, Jr., collected about 10,000 SVIBs from men scattered over roughly 50 occupations. Strong's materials constitute an immensely valuable treasure of data, useful for scientific purposes. For example, by using some inventories completed many years ago, it has been possible to study the stability of interests within an occupation over 30 years. As Strong was concerned with men who were successful and satisfied in their occupations, he inevitably collected SVIBs from prominent leaders in many fields. As time moves on, the characteristics of these men assume some historical significance. It is perhaps the first time that systematic psychometric data have been available on the outstanding leaders of earlier eras. This article discusses the representation of the psychology profession in the Strong files, and presents a detailed table reflecting the completed SVIB inventories for 50 of the past 70 APA presidents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictive validity of vocational interests within nonprofessional occupations.

Compared the scores of 174 Navy enlisted men on K. Clark's Navy Vocational Interest Inventory with Ss' scores obtained as civilians 6 yr. later and subsequent civilian occupations. Results show reliability and validity which parallel those reported for the SVIB. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality correlates of vocational counseling outcome.

Investigated the relationship between scores on the Adjective Check List (ACL), Educational Interest Inventory (EII), and the Vocational Decision-Making Checklist (VDMC) and several vocational counseling outcome measures. 60 male undergraduates unsure about their choice of major received either model-reinforcement counseling, traditional counseling, or no counseling. Correlations between the ACL and EII scores, change in pre- and postcounseling certainty of major, and change in VDMC scores were analyzed. Results suggest that personality factors are related to progress in vocational counseling. The improving client, in general, appears to be outgoing, self-confident, and to have a tendency to be controlling. Data also suggest that change as a result of the traditional, more nondirective counseling may require more self-confidence and a greater ability to assert oneself in interpersonal situations than is necessary with a behavioral counseling approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation of career indecision to changes in expressed vocational interests.

Examined the stability or changes in the expressed vocational interests of 98 undergraduate women over a 2-yr period. Interests were measured by the Vocational Preference Inventory and 2 career indecision scales, and changes were measured by questionnaire. Ss were divided into 3 groups: stable (69 Ss), changed (13 Ss), and undecided (16 Ss). Results show significant differences between groups on GPAs and on the vocational measures. Results further show that career indecision predicted changes in expressed vocational interests. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expressed and inventoried vocational interests: A comparison of instruments.

Compared the responses of 84 female Ss to the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) and the Vocational Card Sort (VCS). The VCS task included J. L. Holland's themes and used the basic interest and occupational scales from the SCII. The results from both measures were related. The VCS was not significantly different from the SCII in internal consistency. The VCS themes were better predictors of expressed choices than the SCII themes. Comparisons of the instruments by the Ss did not yield clear preferences, and there was a strong tendency for Ss to suggest that a friend take both instruments. Ss perceived sex bias in the SCII but not in the VCS. Overall, the results support the use of the VCS including the Holland themes and the SCII basic interest category. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for vocational counseling and future research. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Structural invariance of vocational interests across Japanese and American cultures.

Two samples of college students (Japanese, N?=?373; American, N?=?401) were given the Inventory of Occupational Preferences (T. J. G. Tracey & J. Rounds, 1996a), and the structural invariance across cultures was examined at the item and at various scale levels. Correlations of principal-components factor loadings demonstrated that the item structure was similar across cultures. Three separate scale structures were examined: Holland's six-type circular model, Tracey and Round's eight-type circular model, and Tracey and Round's spherical representation. The fit of the six-type and spherical models to the Japanese sample was significantly worse than their fit to the U.S. sample. There were no differences in cross-cultural fit for the eight-type model. Few structure differences were found between and within genders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determinants of domain knowledge and independent study learning in an adult sample.

The ability (fluid and crystallized intelligence) and nonability (personality, interests, self-concept, etc.) determinants of domain knowledge before and after an independent learning opportunity were evaluated in the context of a study of 141 adults between the ages of 18 and 69. The domain knowledge under consideration included an array of financial issues, including financial planning, retirement planning, debt management, and educational savings accounts. Crystallized intelligence was a stronger predictor than fluid intelligence of domain knowledge prior to learning, and nonability traits provided significant incremental predictive validity. After learning, fluid intelligence showed a marked increase in the prediction of domain knowledge, but the final correlation did not exceed that of crystallized intelligence. Implications for optimizing the prediction of educational success of adults are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality patterns and vocational choice: A test of Holland's theory with adult part-time community college students.

Attempted to extend J. L. Holland's (see PA, Vol. 49:12652) vocational development theory to an adult population of 89 male evening college students. The Vocational Preference Inventory was used to derive personality comparisons between both present and future job choices. Significant positive results were obtained to support Holland's premise that people search out environments and, hence, vocations that are compatible with their personalities. Results also suggest a practical approach to utilizing more than a single high point code in classification of personality patterns and jobs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)