The study in this article examined gender and ethnic differences in the development of Holland (1997) personality types among inner-city adolescents. Results showed gender but not ethnic differences in vocational personality types and their predictors, and suggest different pathways to the development of these types for boys and girls. Suggestions…

Career interests, efficacy expectations, and parental support were measured for 120 Native American and 134 Caucasian adolescents. Native Americans had greater interest in Realistic and Commercial occupations and those requiring high school diploma, trade school, or two-year postsecondary education. They were similar to Caucasians in range of…

The Mapping Vocational Challenges inventory was completed by 217 at-risk inner-city adolescents and 198 suburban middle-class adolescents. Exploratory factor analyses found only four of six Holland themes accurately portrayed both groups' conception of occupations. Suburban adolescents had more occupational information and better-defined concept…

When 126 rural 10th-12th graders completed the "My Vocational Challenges" instrument, perceived parental support was a significant predictor of efficacy expectations and vocational interests. Using Holland's classifications, both genders associated men with "Realistic" and "Investigative" occupations and women with "Artistic" and "Conventional"…

Path analysis of data from 101 students before college and after declaring majors demonstrated the importance of math self-efficacy beliefs and vocational interests in predicting math/science majors. The more extroverted and those with artistic interests were less likely to major in math/science. Aspirations had solidified before college,…

Studied gender differences in factor structure of Basic Interest Scales (BISs) from 1927-85. Results describe clear factor structure for BISs, but scale loadings did not support BISs' General Occupational Theme classifications. Found gender differences for between-factor correlations and relatively stable factor structure over time that existed…

When a group of 111 seventh-graders used the middle-school version of Mapping Vocational Challenges, boys and girls demonstrated similar understanding of employment pattern differences between genders. Vocational interests and efficacy ratings fell into predictable gender patterns. Clear interest profile differences were evident among boys but not…

Studied role of self-efficacy in mediating gender differences on Investigative and Realistic General Occupational Themes of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory among 71 male and 77 female entering university freshmen. Path analyses suggested a correlation where mathematics self-efficacy and high school mathematics preparation mediated gender…

Following the recommendations of Lent, Brown and Hackett's Social Cognitive Career Theory (2000), we measured eighth grade boys' and girls' perception of the proportion of men and women employed in occupations and their level of interest and self-efficacy for those occupations. Results indicated that eighth grade boys and girls expressed stronger…

This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention designed to increase adolescents' interests in non-traditional careers, and their career-related self-efficacy. Results demonstrated significant increases in career planning and exploration efficacy, and educational and vocational development efficacy among experimental group…

This study tested a causal model, based on social cognitive career theory (SCCT; R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, & G. Hackett, 1994, 2000), of math and science career interests among 6th-grade adolescents (N = 318). Consistent with SCCT, it was found that career gender-typing, mother's and father's support for pursuing math and science careers, as well…