Career preferences, self-concept, and vocational maturity

Abstract

This study explored the differences in self-concept and vocational maturity variables between freshmen students who made congruent, incongruent, and undecided college major choices. The self-concept variables were operationally defined by the Tennessee Self Concept Scale. The vocational maturity variables were defined by the Career Questionnaire, Form IV, and the Vocational Development Inventory. Congruent, incongruent, and undecided college major choice groups were defined operationally using the Vocational Preference Inventory. The analysis of variance revealed the main effect of groups (congruent, incongruent, and undecided) to be significant for four vocational maturity variables. The test for the main effect of sex was found to be significant for one vocational maturity variable. The test for interaction was found to be significant for one self-concept variable. The findings tentatively suggest that subjects in the congruent male and female groups tend to be more vocationally stable and mature than subjects in the undecided male and female groups. Limitations in the reults of the present study were pointed out.