Azy Barak

Vocational interests: A cognitive view☆

Abstract Vocational interests have been in the center of research for decades. While substantive empirical evidence has been gathered and analyzed, the theoretical explanation regarding interest as a psychological construct has been neglected. The current paper reviews and reexamines relationships of vocational interests with some vocational-relevant variables (i.e., ability, success, and satisfaction), oriented toward theoretical construction. It is shown that while there are no correlations between interests and actual relevant abilities and performance, there is a positive relationship with satisfaction. It is theorized that cognitive functions mediate between actual (tested) abilities, previous performance, satisfaction, and interests. The theoretical model proposes that interests are a function of this mediating process, i.e., perceived abilities, expected success, and anticipated satisfaction. The relationships between this model and other relevant theories are discussed as well as its implications to career development theory and research.

Effects of ?1(2)-tetrahydrocannabinol on copulation in the male rat

The mating behavior of 15 male rats was measured after treatment with δ1(2)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and propylene glycol (vehicle). Administration of either 2 mg per kg or 3 mg per kg body weight of THC was followed by significant increases in latency to the first mount, latency to ejaculation, and latency to the first mount following ejaculation. No significant changes were found in the number of intromissions or mounts. The deterioration in sexual performance is interpreted as reflecting a decreased motivation to copulate under the influence of the drug.

A Test of Holland's Theory in a Population of Accountants.

Abstract The study examined the SDS scales and work attitudes of 1952 Canadian Chartered Accountants (Anglophones and Francophones) and Californian Certified Public Accountants. Combinations of C, E, and S were found the most frequent personality patterns, and they constitute 27.8% of the total population. Scores on these types were positively related to organizational and professional commitments, as well as to vocational satisfaction. The level of congruence was positively correlated with the vocational criteria only in the American sample. The consistency level correlated with professional commitment in the Francophone sample, whereas the differentiation score showed mixed results.

Pornography, erotica, and behavior: more questions than answers

Across the recent past, there have been confident proclamations by social scientists (Donnerstein, Linz, & Penrod, 1987; Malamuth & Donnerstein, 1984; Zillmann & Bryant, 1986, 1988), by the U.S. Attorney General (U.S., 1986), and by the U.S. Surgeon General (Koop, 1987; Mulvey & Haugaard, 1986), concerning the prevalence and negative effects of pornography in our society. The impression is often conveyed that the social sciences case against pornography is closed, but it is our purpose to sound a strong and much needed cautionary note: the findings for the prevalence and effects of pornography are highly inconsistent, are often based on overly simplistic theory and on methodologically flawed research, and only permit the conclusion that there remain far more questions than firm answers in this area. In the present paper, we will discuss definitions of pornography and erotica, provide an overview of widely cited research on the prevalence and effects of such material, and then critically review this literature and identify significant difficulties with it. The paper will close with a call for education that directly attacks gender inequality and sexual violence, and a discussion of the requirements that future research must meet if it is to serve as a basis for the formation of public policy and legal judgments in this domain.

A simple instrument for measuring vocational interests based on Roe's classification of occupations

Abstract A vocational interests inventory-“Ramak”-based on Roes (1956) classification of occupations was constructed. It consisted of 72 names of occupations. Equivalent-test reliability of 0.76 was achieved. The inventory was validated on working samples and by the structure of intercorrelations. The advantages of this inventory are discussed.

The Predictive Validity of a Vocational Interest Inventory--"Ramak": Seven Year Follow-up.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the predictive validity of the Ramak-a vocational interest inventory based on Roes (1956) classification of occupations. In this follow-up, 81% of the original sample, tested 7 yr earlier, was located. These S s responded to a questionnaire which inquired into their vocational choice and vocational choice satisfaction, together with retesting of the Ramak. Results showed that: (a) The median interpersonal test-retest reliability was .412 for males and .401 for females, while the median within-the-person profile stability was .535 for males and .700 for females; (b) With few deviations, for each occupational field the S s occupied in that field had the highest interest in that field; (c) With the exception of Arts and Entertainment in both sexes, for each interest field S s who had the highest score were those engaged in that field; (d) The correlation between vocational choice satisfaction and the interests in the relevant field was .405 and .294 for males and females, respectively; (e) For both sexes, S s occupied in their highest-scoring interest field were more satisfied with their vocational choice than those who were not. The effectiveness of the Ramak in vocational counseling is evaluated.

The mediating effects of career indecision subtypes on career-counseling effectiveness.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that career indecision subtypes serve as a mediating variable in regard to career-counseling effectiveness, and to an attempt to detect two other mediators, i.e., individual- versus group-counseling modes and direct versus indirect test interpretation. In a pre-post design conducted on 149 undergraduate clients who went through a standard counseling process it was found that: (a) Different subtype groups gained differentially in their career decidedness; clients who “lack structure” gained the most from the treatment while clients who “perceive external barrier” and who experienced “personal conflict” gained the least, (b) Neither counseling mode nor test interpretation directiveness had significant effects or interactions with career decidedness. It was proposed that career counseling should be conducted with different contents rather than processes in order to benefit clients with various problem types.

Meaning and career decision-making

Abstract A model of decision-making is suggested as a potential tool for assisting people in the process of career decision-making. The model is based on the subjective meaning of the values involved in the decision. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, university students had to decide on their major. In the second experiment, ninth-grade pupils had to decide about their future high school studies. Both decisions were actual ones. The suggested model was found to have high predictive power regarding the actual choices made. The possible applications of the model as a counseling tool are discussed.

Cognitive determinants of interests: An extension of a theoretical model and initial empirical examinations

Abstract This article elaborates on a previous theoretical model concerning the development and maintenance of interests. According to the current view, individuals—through the operation of various cognitive mechanisms—structure two cognitive processes: self-schemata and performance-related future time orientation cognitions. These two cognitive processes consequently and consistently produce three distinct and measurable cognitive determinants—perceived abilities, expected success, and anticipated satisfaction—which themselves sequentially create subjective affects and motivations defined as interests. Two studies were conducted to test some initial hypotheses derived from this model. In an interpersonal design study, the cognitive determinants highly correlated with interests, and all three significantly contributed for a multiple prediction of interests. In an intrapersonal design study, interests were highly correlated with perceived abilities, which were themselves highly related to internal and stable causal attributions. The implications of the model for career development and choice-related issues are discussed.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Structure of Vocational Interests

Cole and Hanson (1971) and Edwards and Whitney (1972) analyzed responses of American Ss to several interest inventories. They found the occupational fields to have the following circular configuration in terms of Hollands (1966) classification of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprise, and Conventional. Two interest inventories were constructed on the basis of Roes (1956) classification of occupations and were administered to 170 Arab samples and to three samples of Jewish Ss with ns of 231, 220, and 296. The structure of the occupational fields emerged from a smallest-space analysis. It was found that vocational interests have a similar circular configuration in Western and non-Western cultures.