We tested a social cognitive model of academic adjustment in a sample of 1377 students enrolled in engineering schools at two predominantly White and two historically Black state universities. The model brought together central elements of social cognitive career theory's (SCCT) segmental models of educational/vocational satisfaction, interest,…

This study examined the influence of gender, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity on the career aspirations of over 22,000 8th and 10th grade youth. The top five occupations identified by youth as aspirations included artist, lawyer, musician, FBI agent, and actor/actress. Top occupations were also reported for each gender x socioeconomic…

The present study examined perceptions of occupational prestige among university students. One hundred and twenty-four African American and 174 White students rated the prestige levels of 36 occupations evenly sampled from the six RIASEC types and three levels of prestige. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in perception of…

The present study investigated the relevance of the "aspiration-expectation gap" and traditional gender differences among urban youth in middle school and high school (N = 294). Results failed to indicate a significant difference between the occupational prestige levels of aspired and expected careers, but did indicate a significant difference…

This study provides unique empirical evidence regarding a growing concern internationally: weight discrimination in the workplace. Using survey data from a national sample of 2838 American adults, it responds to Puhl and Brownell's [Puhl, R., & Brownell, K. D. (2001). Bias, discrimination, and obesity. "Obesity Research, 9", 788-805]…

Summer interns and their volunteer mentors were sorted into 26 same-race and 50 different-race pairings. Liking, satisfaction, and contact with mentors were higher when proteges perceived themselves more similar to their mentors. Proteges of the same race as mentors reported more career support. (SK)

Investigated race and sex differences in work values of middle managers (N=322). Results revealed White females placed more importance on extrinsic outcomes than did White males, whereas Black males rated extrinsic outcomes as more important than did Black females. Found Blacks placed more importance on independence than Whites, and women more…

RIASEC interests were assessed in grades 8, 10, and 12 on a large national sample of 69,987 college bound students. Random samples of 1000 were drawn to represent each of the major US ethnic groups (African, Asian, Native, Mexican, Latino (non Mexican), Anglo, and Multiracial Americans) and interests were examined as they varied across time,…

The Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) were administered to 110 Black and White non-college-degreed workers in three occupations (laboratory technicians, sales clerks, and clerk-typists) corresponding to three of Holland's environmental categories (Investigative, Enterprising, and Conventional). Findings for…

This study examined, for 221 black and white male and female college students, relationships between the motive to avoid success and: (a) sex and race; (b) congruency, consistency, and differentiation of occupational choice; and (c) occupational aspirations. Results showed a significant sex difference on the motive to avoid success. (Author)

This study investigated the effect of social class, race, and sex on the work values of ninth-grade students in a large metropolitan area. Results indicated that the primary differences were for the dependent variables of race and sex. In general, low social position black females scored low on the work values scales. (Author)

Children were surveyed regarding career choice and perceptions of appropriateness of selected occupations for male and female adults and children. Responses were analyzed by ethnic membership and sex. Hispanic and Anglo girls chose more nontraditional occupations than Black girls. (Author)

Mexican-American and European-American high school juniors and seniors (n=1,139) identified perceived barriers to their academic and career goals. Females anticipated more barriers than males, particularly sex discrimination. Mexican-Americans perceived more barriers than European-Americans, both sex and ethnic discrimination. (SK)

Examined race and sex differences in personality profile among nursing students. The Self Directed Search was administered to students entering baccalaureate nursing programs. Results generally supported Holland's typology. Race and sex differences in SDS codes were not significant. Some differences were found in socioeconomic characteristics.…

Investigated the relationships between a measure of career maturity, self-concept, socioeconomic status, race, sex, place of residence, and age in sixth-grade students (N=300). Results indicated a positive but low correlation between total scores on the Career Maturity Inventory-Attitude Scale and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale.…