Note from the Library: The fulltext electronic version of this thesis has been removed due to restricted content. Please contact the Unisa Library for more details. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Note from the Library: The fulltext electronic version of this thesis has been removed due to restricted content. Please contact the Unisa Library for more details. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

CHOICES, the career planning computer program, was evaluated by interviewing 35 grade 11 and 12 students. Using the critical incident technique, reports were elicited of what facilitated or hindered their career planning. These collected incidents were categorized by similarity to provide counsellors and others with a map of exactly what the program does to help or hinder career planning. This map potentially enables counsellors to capitalize on benefits and to minimize possible detriments. Secondly, this map was qualitatively compared to a similar evaluation of the Self-Directed Search. Overall, it was found that the two interventions have differing advantages and disadvantages. CHOICES stresses reality constraints, specificity and extrinsic work features. The SDS underlines self-awareness and an understanding of the matching process. It seems that CHOICES is more appropriate for planning and specific decisions regarding options while the SDS tends to focus on general exploration and decisions regarding fields. The writer wishes to express his appreciation to the following persons: To Dr. Larry Cochran, research supervisor, whose patience, availability and countless hours over six years made this study possible. To Dr. Marv Westwood, whose continual support especially for the clinical comprehensive, was greatly appreciated. To Dr. Bill Borgen, whose encouragement at the appropriate time enabled me to perservere. To Dr. Norm Amundson, whose inspired synthesis made the oral presentation smoother. To Dr. Ron MacGregor, whose suggestions were appreciated. To the students, to the staff of Matthew McNair Senior Secondary and to the counsellor Mike Casselman, whose co-operation and support made this study possible. To Mrs. Irma Eichler, for her devoted time and effort in typing this dissertation. And finally, to my parents Rene and Lucille, to my sisters Louise and Anita, and to my brother Jean, for their continual support and encouragement. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology / Kenneth F. Hughey / This study examined the impact of two career interventions on the dysfunctional career thoughts (DCTs) and vocational identity (VI) of 55 high school seniors. Research has shown an inverse relationship between levels of DCTs and VI. One intervention was based on the Cognitive Information Processing approach (Peterson, Sampson, & Reardon, 1991; Peterson, Sampson, Lenz, & Reardon, 2002; Peterson, Sampson, Reardon, & Lenz, 1996; Sampson, Reardon, Peterson, & Lenz, 2004) and incorporated Improving Your Career Thoughts: A Workbook for the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI workbook; Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996c) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS; Holland, 1994). The second intervention employed only the SDS. A control group used neither activity. Levels of DCTs and VI were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention using the Career Thoughts Inventory (Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996a) and the Vocational Identity scale of My Vocational Situation (Holland, Daiger, & Power, 1980a). Earlier studies indicated improvements in levels of dysfunctional career thinking after CIP-based interventions (e.g., Kilk, 1998; Morano, 2005; Reed, 2006), but no previous studies employed the complete CTI workbook. Additional studies (e.g., Loughead & Black, 1990; Mau,1999; Wiggins, 1987) indicated that levels of vocational identity could be increased by using the SDS as an intervention. The combined use of the CTI workbook and SDS produced significant improvements in all five measures of DCTs and VI. It was also shown that use of the SDS as a stand-alone intervention did improve levels of VI, but not to the extent of the improvements shown by combined use of the SDS and CTI workbook. Use of the SDS as a stand-alone intervention did not produce improvements in levels of DCTs. The control group, which employed neither the CTI workbook nor the SDS, unexpectedly showed significant improvements in scores for two CTI scales which may have been due to the influence of confounding variables.

This study examined the relationship between the sub-components of Holland's Self-Directed Search and independent, objective measures of ability using a comprehensive battery of well-validated tests of primary abilities corresponding to each of Holland's six vocational interest types. The sample consisted of 149 female undergraduate students, ages 18-25. Correlation of the ability measure test scores with the four Self-Directed Search subcomponents revealed that the subtests were not related to corresponding measures of ability in a consistent fashion. Implications for the use of the Self-Directed Search in assessing abilities are discussed along with suggestions for future research investigating the relationhip between interest in ventories and the measurement of primary abilities.

Professional school counselors frequently use career interest inventories as part of a comprehensive guidance program to help students create a post-secondary school plan. The present study evaluates the validity of three commonly used interest inventories, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Self-Directed Search, and Strong Interest Inventory on field of study choice for graduating high school seniors (N = 616) from a large, suburban high school in Texas. Students identified their intended postsecondary field of study category, were randomly assigned using stratification to three groups, and each group completed a different inventory. Group membership was evaluated to establish covariate balance on a wide variety of indicators. Data from each group was evaluated to determine the extent to which the inventory predicted the chosen field of study, as well as Other and Undeclared categories using logistic regression models. None of the inventory models suggest that the inventory accurately predicts Other or Undeclared outcomes. For students selecting intended postsecondary fields of study, the Self Directed Search predicts such outcomes better than other measures. Professional school and career counselors should consider the SDS in addition to narrative counseling strategies to add greater precision with career decision making among clients and students.

The Party Exercise found on countless career guidance websites and popularized by the best-selling, job-hunting book What Color Is Your Parachute (Bolles, 2015) purports to provide an estimate of an individual's Holland's code. This study examines whether this commonly used Party Exercise accurately predicts an individual's Holland's code (Holland, 1997). Undergraduate students (N=473) completed The Party Exercise and then the Self- Directed Search (Holland & Messer, 2013). The results of this study do not support the use of this popular “Party Exercise” as a valid estimate of an individual's Holland code.

O campo dos interesses profissionais é amplo e complexo, circunscrito por diferentes perspectivas teóricas e técnicas, com impacto na construção da carreira dos indivíduos. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa objetivou caracterizar inclinações e interesses profissionais de estudantes de diferentes níveis de ensino por meio de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica (Teste de Fotos de Profissões, BBT-Br e o Questionário de Busca Autodirigida SDS), bem como avaliar características psicométricas das referidas técnicas de exame na região norte do Brasil. Foram avaliados 729 estudantes provenientes de escolas públicas e particulares da cidade de Manaus (AM), pertencentes ao final do ensino fundamental (9º ano), ensino médio (1ª, 2ª e 3ª séries) e a 3ª série do ensino técnico integrado ao ensino médio, igualmente distribuídos em função do sexo. Os instrumentos (BBT-Br e SDS) foram aplicados no próprio contexto escolar, após as devidas autorizações formais para a pesquisa, incluindo-se também Questionário de Classificação Econômica Brasil para caracterização da amostra. Os resultados, após sistematização padronizada em cada instrumento de avaliação psicológica, foram tratados de modo inicialmente descritivo, para o grupo geral, bem como em função das variáveis: sexo, idade, nível de ensino e origem escolar (pública ou particular). Seguiram-se análises inferenciais dos possíveis efeitos dessas características sócio demográficas sobre as inclinações e os interesses profissionais, bem como a análise de características psicométricas do BBT-Br e SDS. Os resultados do BBT-Br apontaram tendência geral dos interesses dos estudantes (de diferentes níveis de ensino e de ambos os sexos) por atividades que envolvam pensamento abstrato/criativo e senso social/ajuda ao outro (respectivamente representadas pelos radicais G e S). No SDS a tipologia que se destacou, em todos os níveis de ensino, foi o tipo Social (interesses em atividades profissionais de ajuda e ensino) no grupo feminino, e o tipo Empreendedor (liderança, relacionamentos interpessoais e atividades persuasivas) no grupo masculino. Foram detectados padrões específicos na expressão dos interesses de estudantes da região norte em relação aos dados disponíveis do BBT-Br e do SDS para a região sudeste, embora com pontos de convergência motivacional. Sobre as características psicométricas dos instrumentos utilizados, foram identificados bons indicadores de fidedignidade (Alfa de Cronbach para o BBT-Br no sexo feminino foi de 0,84 e, para o sexo masculino, foi de 0,85; no SDS para o sexo feminino foi 0,78 e para o sexo masculino foi 0,79), e também de validade (análise de componentes principais e correlação entre resultados do BBT-Br e do SDS). O estudo contribuiu para a compreensão de características vocacionais e de interesses profissionais de estudantes da cidade de Manaus (AM), comparando-as aos dados disponíveis com estudantes do sudeste do Brasil, demonstrando indicadores positivos de validade das duas versões do BBT-Br e do SDS para uso na região norte. Reflexões foram realizadas, a partir dos achados, no sentido de sugerir processos de orientação vocacional e profissional para os estudantes do 9º ano do ensino fundamental, ensino médio e ensino técnico, para estimular escolhas profissionais que favoreçam a saúde mental e a realização pessoal, em termos científicos e educacionais, de indivíduos dessa região do Brasil. / The field of professional interests is wide and complex, circumscribed by different theoretical and technical perspectives, having impact in the construction of individuals\' career. In this context, this research aimed to describe professional interests and inclinations in students of different levels of education through instruments of psychological assessment (Berufsbilder Test BBT-Br, and Self-Directed Search SDS), as well as assess psychometric characteristics of these measures in the North region of Brazil. The sample was comprised of 729 students from public and private schools in the city of Manaus (AM), that were attending the last year of fundamental school (9th grade), middle school (1st, 2nd and 3rd years) and 3rd year of technical education, equally distributed for gender. Instruments were administered within the school context, after formal authorizations were obtained, along with the Brazil Economic Classification Questionnaire to sample description. The results, after patterned systematization in each instrument, were first analyzed for the description of all sample, on the variables gender, age, school level and school origin (public vs. private school). Following, inferential analysis of possible effects of the sociodemographic profile on professional interests and inclinations were tested, as well as the psychometric properties of BBT-Br and SDS. The results for BBT-Br pointed to a general tendency of students interests (of different educational levels and both sexes) to activities involving abstract/creative reasoning and social sense/help to others (respectively represented by radical G and S). On SDS, the featured typology was the Social type (interest in professional activities of help and teaching), for all school levels, for females group, and Entrepreneur type (leadership, interpersonal relationships, and persuasive activities) for males group. Specific patterns of the expression of interests in the North region emerged in comparison to normative data available of Southeast region, for both tests, with some points of motivational convergence. About psychometric qualities of the measures, good indicators of reliability (Cronbachs alpha of .84 for females and .85 for males on the BBT-Br; and .78 for females and .79 for males on SDS), as well as validity (principal component analysis and correlation between results on BBT-Br and SDS). This study contributes to the comprehension of vocational and professional interests of students in the city of Manaus (AM) when comparing to data available from the Southeast region of Brazil, demonstrating positive indicators of validity for both tests, to its use in the North region context. Some reflections about the data intended to contribute with suggestions about the process of vocational and professional orientation to students of 9th grade of fundamental school, middle school, and technical education, in order to stimulate professional choices that promote mental health and self-fulfillment, scientifically and educationally, for individuals of this region of Brazil.

O campo dos interesses profissionais é amplo e complexo, circunscrito por diferentes perspectivas teóricas e técnicas, com impacto na construção da carreira dos indivíduos. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa objetivou caracterizar inclinações e interesses profissionais de estudantes de diferentes níveis de ensino por meio de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica (Teste de Fotos de Profissões, BBT-Br e o Questionário de Busca Autodirigida SDS), bem como avaliar características psicométricas das referidas técnicas de exame na região norte do Brasil. Foram avaliados 729 estudantes provenientes de escolas públicas e particulares da cidade de Manaus (AM), pertencentes ao final do ensino fundamental (9º ano), ensino médio (1ª, 2ª e 3ª séries) e a 3ª série do ensino técnico integrado ao ensino médio, igualmente distribuídos em função do sexo. Os instrumentos (BBT-Br e SDS) foram aplicados no próprio contexto escolar, após as devidas autorizações formais para a pesquisa, incluindo-se também Questionário de Classificação Econômica Brasil para caracterização da amostra. Os resultados, após sistematização padronizada em cada instrumento de avaliação psicológica, foram tratados de modo inicialmente descritivo, para o grupo geral, bem como em função das variáveis: sexo, idade, nível de ensino e origem escolar (pública ou particular). Seguiram-se análises inferenciais dos possíveis efeitos dessas características sócio demográficas sobre as inclinações e os interesses profissionais, bem como a análise de características psicométricas do BBT-Br e SDS. Os resultados do BBT-Br apontaram tendência geral dos interesses dos estudantes (de diferentes níveis de ensino e de ambos os sexos) por atividades que envolvam pensamento abstrato/criativo e senso social/ajuda ao outro (respectivamente representadas pelos radicais G e S). No SDS a tipologia que se destacou, em todos os níveis de ensino, foi o tipo Social (interesses em atividades profissionais de ajuda e ensino) no grupo feminino, e o tipo Empreendedor (liderança, relacionamentos interpessoais e atividades persuasivas) no grupo masculino. Foram detectados padrões específicos na expressão dos interesses de estudantes da região norte em relação aos dados disponíveis do BBT-Br e do SDS para a região sudeste, embora com pontos de convergência motivacional. Sobre as características psicométricas dos instrumentos utilizados, foram identificados bons indicadores de fidedignidade (Alfa de Cronbach para o BBT-Br no sexo feminino foi de 0,84 e, para o sexo masculino, foi de 0,85; no SDS para o sexo feminino foi 0,78 e para o sexo masculino foi 0,79), e também de validade (análise de componentes principais e correlação entre resultados do BBT-Br e do SDS). O estudo contribuiu para a compreensão de características vocacionais e de interesses profissionais de estudantes da cidade de Manaus (AM), comparando-as aos dados disponíveis com estudantes do sudeste do Brasil, demonstrando indicadores positivos de validade das duas versões do BBT-Br e do SDS para uso na região norte. Reflexões foram realizadas, a partir dos achados, no sentido de sugerir processos de orientação vocacional e profissional para os estudantes do 9º ano do ensino fundamental, ensino médio e ensino técnico, para estimular escolhas profissionais que favoreçam a saúde mental e a realização pessoal, em termos científicos e educacionais, de indivíduos dessa região do Brasil. / The field of professional interests is wide and complex, circumscribed by different theoretical and technical perspectives, having impact in the construction of individuals\' career. In this context, this research aimed to describe professional interests and inclinations in students of different levels of education through instruments of psychological assessment (Berufsbilder Test BBT-Br, and Self-Directed Search SDS), as well as assess psychometric characteristics of these measures in the North region of Brazil. The sample was comprised of 729 students from public and private schools in the city of Manaus (AM), that were attending the last year of fundamental school (9th grade), middle school (1st, 2nd and 3rd years) and 3rd year of technical education, equally distributed for gender. Instruments were administered within the school context, after formal authorizations were obtained, along with the Brazil Economic Classification Questionnaire to sample description. The results, after patterned systematization in each instrument, were first analyzed for the description of all sample, on the variables gender, age, school level and school origin (public vs. private school). Following, inferential analysis of possible effects of the sociodemographic profile on professional interests and inclinations were tested, as well as the psychometric properties of BBT-Br and SDS. The results for BBT-Br pointed to a general tendency of students interests (of different educational levels and both sexes) to activities involving abstract/creative reasoning and social sense/help to others (respectively represented by radical G and S). On SDS, the featured typology was the Social type (interest in professional activities of help and teaching), for all school levels, for females group, and Entrepreneur type (leadership, interpersonal relationships, and persuasive activities) for males group. Specific patterns of the expression of interests in the North region emerged in comparison to normative data available of Southeast region, for both tests, with some points of motivational convergence. About psychometric qualities of the measures, good indicators of reliability (Cronbachs alpha of .84 for females and .85 for males on the BBT-Br; and .78 for females and .79 for males on SDS), as well as validity (principal component analysis and correlation between results on BBT-Br and SDS). This study contributes to the comprehension of vocational and professional interests of students in the city of Manaus (AM) when comparing to data available from the Southeast region of Brazil, demonstrating positive indicators of validity for both tests, to its use in the North region context. Some reflections about the data intended to contribute with suggestions about the process of vocational and professional orientation to students of 9th grade of fundamental school, middle school, and technical education, in order to stimulate professional choices that promote mental health and self-fulfillment, scientifically and educationally, for individuals of this region of Brazil.

Orientation In this study the interrelationship between specific personality and interests measures were explored to improve understanding of the respective constructs and their interrelations. A literature study and empirical research was conducted to serve the purpose of this study. Research purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationship between personality and interests using the measures of the OPQ, the 15FQ+, and the SDS. Motivation for study Much research has been done on the importance of the use of personality and interest questionnaires for career guidance and other purposes. However, a correlation between the SDS and OPQ and between the SDS and 15FQ+ has not been researched. As such, this study was intended to provide valuable insight into the interrelation between the personality and interests as measured by the OPQ, the SDS and the 15FQ+, which should enhance the interpretation of the respective constructs. Research Methodology An exploratory research method was used, as it was a systematic investigation of the relationship among two or more variables. A quantitative strategy of inquiry was used for this study. Main findings A canonical correlation analysis showed moderate to strong interrelationship between personality traits and vocational interest. The interrelation of the OPQ, the SDS and the 15FQ+ are significant. The findings indicated how personality and interests differ and converge for enhancing interpretation purposes. Practical/managerial implications Holland’s theory of vocational interests focuses on the application of the SDS for career purposes, as well as for measuring job fit and job satisfaction. A better understanding of the interrelationship between personality and interests help practitioners to optimize the use of the measures within various contexts. Contributions/value additions The study will enable practitioners to more effectively utilize the personality and interest measures, combined or separately, as the interrelationships are now better known and construct validity is enhanced. Conclusion The objective of this research was successfully achieved, as satisfactory evidence was provided to address the overarching research purpose. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Human Resource Management / MSc / Restricted