April E. Metzler

The Development of Vocational Schemas.

Abstract Previous research has conceptualized vocational development as a sequence of structural changes in the cognitive schemas used to interpret and anticipate vocational events. To test this conceptualization, three studies were designed to determine whether organizational features of vocational schemas varied with other, already established, developmental sequences. Results of Study 1 indicated that higher levels of vocational structure were related to higher levels of general identity development in a manner consistent with the models developmental assumptions. Studies 2A and 2B extended these findings in the context of larger samples using independent measures of identity development. Together with findings relating higher structural development to higher levels of career decision-making self-efficacy and career decidedness, these results were interpreted as providing qualified support for the assumption that vocational schemas undergo organizational development.

The Impact of Sex, Sex-Role Orientation, and Construct Type on Vocational Differentiation, Integration, and Conflict.

Abstract Recent research has documented sex differences in vocational structure ( Brown, 1987 ; Neimeyer and Metzler, 1987 , Neimeyer and Metzler, 1987 ), but has been unsuccessful in determining the reasons underlying these differences ( Neimeyer, Metzler, & Bowman, 1988 ). This study tested the possibility that the type of construct (personally elicited or experimentally provided) and sex-role orientation of the subject (stereotyped or androgynous) might account for these sex differences. Results of a series of 2 (sex) × 2 (construct type) × 2 (sex-role orientation) ANOVAS supported and extended earlier research. In general, the findings replicated earlier results concerning mens higher level of differentiation, but lower levels of integration, vis-a-vis women. But these effects were qualified by interactions with sex-role orientation and construct type, suggesting important qualifications to earlier reports. The implications of these and other findings are discussed in relation to the growing literature on structural features of career decision schemas.

Sex differences in vocational integration and differentiation

Abstract Over the past 15 years several programs of research have addressed the relationship between structural features of vocational schemas and career-relevant variables. The possible operation of sex differences in these structural features has not yet received systematic attention, however, nor has the determination of these features been based on consistent and uniform criteria across different studies. Results of this study of 808 undergraduates (457 females, 351 males) provide some comparative standards for the two most commonly studied cognitive features (integration and differentiation), and suggest the operation of sex differences in these features. The minimal size and questionable meaningfulness of these differences are discussed in relation to potential measurement confounds in assessing aspects of vocational structure by current methods.

Vocational hypothesis testing: The role of occupational relevance and identity orientation

Abstract To investigate individual differences in vocational hypothesis testing, subjects previously categorized with regard to progress in identity development tested hypotheses about their suitability for one of three occupations: one that was relevant, one that was irrelevant, or one that was moderately relevant to their own career aspirations. Consistent with previous research, confirmation-biased hypothesis were generated when subjects evaluated occupations about which they held firm self-views. A more objective consideration of potentially disconfirming as well as confirming information was generated only when moderately relevant occupations were considered. As predicted, hypothesis-testing strategies varied as a function of identity orientation. Compared to more foreclosed or diffuse identity statuses, exploration-oriented individuals engaged in more balanced vocational hypothesis testing, at least when they were judging moderately relevant occupations. These and other findings are discussed in terms of a process view of self-theorizing and vocational decision-making.

THE EFFECT OF REPERTORY GRID SCALE SIZE AND RATING DIRECTION ON STRUCTURAL MEASURES OF DIFFERENTIATION

Previous work by Soldz and Soldz (1989) indicated that variations in repertory grid features can have a significant impact on the interpretation of the Landfield Functionally Independent Construction Score (FIC), which is a measure of cognitive differentiation. In this study, we showed that four different grid measures (FIC, Total number of zeroes, and the number of midpoint ratings used to indicate either equality or nonapplicability) can be effected by the use of a certain scale size (3-point, 7-point, 13-point), and by the direction of administration (completing the grid in a downwards direction vs. an across-wise direction). In addition, correlations between the number of zero ratings and the total FIC scores for each of the different scale sizes and directions showed evidence to support and to qualify previous work conducted by Soldz and Soldz (1989). In general, high positive correlations were found, suggesting the impact of zero ratings on FIC scores. But the magnitude of the correlations between the zero ratings and the total FIC scores varied as a function of the scale size, the direction of administration, and the meaning of the zero rating (neutrality vs. nonapplicability), raising theoretical, as well as procedural, considerations for future repertory grid research.

Vocational Hierarchies: How Do We Count The Ways?

Abstract The present study explores the relationships among six different measures of construct ordination in the context of vocational value systems. Fifty-seven subjects were given a 10 by 10 rating grid, an implications grid, and a resistance-to-change grid, all utilizing the same set of 10 occupational constructs. Ordination measures were calculated for each of the 10 constructs, using all six methods–explicit rating, implicit rating, extremity, total variance, implications, and resistance to change–and correlations were computed between each pair of methods. The total variance among all six methods that was accounted for by each method is also reported. On this basis, the implicit method emerges as the best omnibus method. However, the question arises whether the six methods measure ordination with unequal fidelity or actually measure differing aspects of ordination, highlighting the need for further study in this area.