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Relationship of vocational maturity to work values
Journal of Vocational Behavior, 5, 367-371 (1974)
Relationship of Vocational Maturity to Work Values MICHAEL F. MILLER’ Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York
This study examined the relationship of vocational maturity to work values. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) Vocational maturity is positively related to differentiation of work values within subjects. (2) Vocational maturity is positively associated with intrinsic work values and negatively associated with extrinsic work values. Sixty-two subjects enrolled in remedial reading at a community college were administered the Vocational Development Inventory-Attitude Scale and the Work Values Inventory. Data analyses supported hypothesis 1 for females, but not for males, and partially supported hypothesis 2.
Previous research has established construct validity for Crites’ Attitude Scale of the Vocational Development Inventov (Crites, 1971). Investigators have found that vocational maturity is related to goal-directedness, general adjustment, intelligence, scholastic achievement, persistence in college, success in vocational training, and job success (Crites, 1971). Rokeach (1973) suggested that the concept of values seems likely to occupy a central position in the social sciences, providing a unifying theoretical and empirical network. In an effort to better understand the structure of values associated with vocational maturity, the present study is an examination of vocational maturity in relation to work values. Two questions were investigated: (1) Is degree of patterning of work values related to vocational maturity? (2) Is vocational maturity associated with specific work values? Two hypotheses were tested. First, since Werner (1948) postulated that biological and psychological development proceed from undifferentiated, global states to differentiated, patterned states, it was hypothesized that vocational maturity is positively associated with differentiation of work values within subjects. Second, the literature of vocational development asserts that in the process of vocational maturation adolescents and young adulti become increasingly task oriented (Crites, 1969; Super, 1957). It was therefore hypothesized that vocational maturity is positively associated with intrinsic work values and negatively associated with extrinsic work values. IRequests for reprints should be sent to Michael F. Miller, Department of Student Personnel, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, New York 11364.
367 Copyright @ 1974 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved
368
MICHAELF.MILLER METHOD
Sample. The sample consisted of 62 subjects, 24 malesand 38 females, enrolled in sections of a noncredit remedial reading course at an urban community college during the spring 1973 semester. Procedure. Subjects were administered the Vocational Development Inventory-Attitude Scale (Crites, 1971) and, the Work Values Inventory (Super, 1970). The mean age for the entire sample was 22.10, SD = 7.44 yr. The mean vocational maturity score for the total sample was 35.63, SD = 4.77.
On the basisof item content and statementsin the manual for the Work (Super, 1970), the investigator grouped the 15 scalesof the WVI into two categories: intrinsic work values (Achievement, Altruism, Creativity, Esthetics, Intellectual Stimulation, and Management)and extrinsic work values (Associates,Economic Returns, Independence,Prestige, Security, Supervisory Relations, Surroundings, Variety, and Way of Life). Variances of within-subject work value scaleswere computed and Pearsonproduct-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between intrasubject work value variances and vocational maturity for males and females separately. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were computed between vocational maturity and each of the 15 work values for males and females separately. Because of the small sample size, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the correlation coefficients. V&es inventory
RESULTS For females, the correlation between vocational maturity and intrasubject work values variance was r = .427 (p < .OOS,CI = .125 to .657). For males, the correlation between vocational maturity and within-subject work values variance did not reach significance (r = .133, CI = -.286 to .509). The possibility of the males being less vocationally mature than the females was examined. For males, VM = 34.50, SD = 5.52, while for females,VM = 36.34, SD = 4.15; t = 1.33, p < .lO, one-tailed test. A comparison of mean agesof the two groups revealed the males were significantly younger (M= 20.33, SD = 3.50) than the females (M= 23.21, SD = 8.96; t = 1.86, p < .05, onetailed test). Further comparisonswere made between malesand femaleson the WVI scales. Table 1 presents these analyses.Using two-tailed tests, femaleswere higher than males on Achievement @ < .Ol), Altruism (p < .005), and Surroundings (p < .05).
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369
TABLE 1 Comparisons Between Means for Males and Females on Work Values
Work values
Males (N = 24) M SD
Females (N = 38) M SD
t
Intrinsic Achievement Altruism Creativity Esthetics Intellectual stimulation Management
12.08 11.67 10.92 8.67 11.21 9.54
2.48 2.16 3.13 3.00 2.62 2.93
13.58 13.55 11.74 8.97 12.39 8.53
1.48 1.57 1.86 3.08 2.02 2.39
2.93** 3.89***. 1.27 0.37 1.96 -1.46
Extrinsic Associates Economic returns Independence Erestige Security Supervisory relations Surroundings Variety Way of life
10.50 13.50 11.46 10.13 12.83 12.38 11.50 10.79 12.75
2.75 2.18 2.72 2.49 2.43 2.79 3.13 2.28 2.23
9.79 13.11 11.13 10.97 12.42 12.37 13.00 11.18 13.58
2.52 1.87 2.57 2.41 2.76 2.29 2.08 2.99 1.57
-1.03 -0.74 -0.47 1.30 -0.59 -0.02 2.23* 0.54 1.69
Note-All t tests are two-tailed. *p < .05. **p G .Ol. ***p < .005.
None of the intrinsic work values were positively associated with vocational maturity for males, while for females two intrinsic work values were positively associatedwith vocational maturity: Achievement (r = .103, ns, CI = -.3 13 to .486) and Creativity (r = .051, ns, CI = -.360 to .445). In the case of extrinsic work values, all correlations were in the predicted direction for both males and females, although only three of the nine correlations reached significance for males: Associates(I= -.655, p < .005, CI = -.342 to -.837), Independence (Y= -.424, p < .025, CI = -.025 to -.707), and Supervisory Relations (r = -.458, p < .025, CI = -.067 to -.727). For females, five of the nine correlations reached significance: Associates(I = -.487, p < .005, CI = -.I98 to -.698), Prestige (r=-.363, p < .025, CI = -049 to -.612), Security (r = -.291, p < .05, CI = .032 to -.559), Surroundings (F = - .272, p < .05, CI = .053 to -.546), and Variety (F = -.399, p < .Ol, CI = -.097 to -.638).
370
MICHAELF.MILLER DISCUSSION
Bearing in mind the rather large sampling variability of r due to the small sample size, the results of this study lend partial support to the hypothesis that vocational maturity is positively associated with the degree of patterning of work values. For females, within-subject variance of work values correlated positively with vocational maturity, indicating greater differentiation of work values for the more vocationally mature subjects. Although results did not reach significance for males, the correlation between withinsubject variance of work values and vocational maturity was positive, as hypothesized. In attempting to understand the lack of significant findings for males, it was found that the males were slightly less vocationally mature and were younger than the females. In addition, the greater emphasis which females placed on Achievement and Altruism seems to confirm the somewhat greater vocational maturity of the females, although the greater value they assigned to Surroundings does not. The relative immaturity of the males in comparison to the females of this sample may account for the nonsignificant correlation between vocational maturity and intrasubject work values variance among the males. Nevertheless, the results of testing the first hypothesis suggest that the process of vocational maturation involves the development of work values which proceed from a global to a differentiated structure. The second hypothesis was also partially supported. For extrinsic values, 8 of the 18 possible correlations reached significance as hypothesized. The one extrinsic value which correlated negatively with vocational maturity for both males and females, and which was also the largest correlation within each sex group, was Associates. According to Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory (1970) the emphasis vocationally immature subjects placed on having satisfying interpersonal relationships with co-workers may be related to deprivation of a basic need for belonging. In Maslow’s theory (1970) satisfaction of lower-level basic needs, e.g., the need for security and belonging, leads to the emergence of higher-level needs, e.g., creativity and self-actualization. In the present study, Maslow’s theory predicts the emergence of intrinsic work values upon the satisfaction of needs associated with extrinsic work values. The result that no intrinsic needs were related to vocational maturity at levels of significance was contrary to the second hypothesis. This lack of relationship may have been due to the sample being drawn from remedial reading classes, which consisted of a higher proportion of socioeconomically deprived students, and which had a mean vocational maturity score which was significantly lower than Crites’ normative data for Grade 13 students (1971). The subjects of this sample may have been primarily concerned with extrinsic work values because of their generally low level of vocational maturity and low level of needs satisfaction, which possibly did not permit the emergence
VOCATIONAL MATURITY
371
of higher-level needs and their associated intrinsic work values. A more representative sample, reflecting a higher mean vocational maturity score and a wider range of cognitive abilities and socioeconomic status may yield the relationships hypothesized in this study. For the practitioner, the results of this study suggest that counseling with females which focuses on value clarification and differentiation may be helpful in furthering the development of vocational maturity. Erikson (1963) has theorized that a sense of identity is related to an individual’s ability to crystallize an occupational role choice. Counseling which promotes the patterning of work values may further a more highly differentiated and clearer sense of identity. Vocational immaturity and identity diffusion may then develop into vocational maturity and a firmer sense of identity.
REFERENCES Crites, .I. 0. Vocational psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1969. Crites, .I. 0. The maturity of vocational attitudes in adolescence. Washington, D.C.: American Personnel and Guidance Association, 197 1. Erikson, E. H. Childhood and society. New York: Norton, 1963. Maslow, A. H. Motivation and personality (2nd ed.). New York: Harper & Row, 1970. Rokeach, M. The nature of human values. New York: Free Press, 1973. Super, D. E. The psychology of careers. New York: Harper & Row, 1957. Super, D. E. Work Values Inventory. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1970. Werner, H. Comparative psychology of mental development (Rev. ed.). Chicago: Follett, 1948. Received: February 14, 1974.
Relationship of Vocational Maturity to Work Values MICHAEL F. MILLER’ Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York
This study examined the relationship of vocational maturity to work values. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) Vocational maturity is positively related to differentiation of work values within subjects. (2) Vocational maturity is positively associated with intrinsic work values and negatively associated with extrinsic work values. Sixty-two subjects enrolled in remedial reading at a community college were administered the Vocational Development Inventory-Attitude Scale and the Work Values Inventory. Data analyses supported hypothesis 1 for females, but not for males, and partially supported hypothesis 2.
Previous research has established construct validity for Crites’ Attitude Scale of the Vocational Development Inventov (Crites, 1971). Investigators have found that vocational maturity is related to goal-directedness, general adjustment, intelligence, scholastic achievement, persistence in college, success in vocational training, and job success (Crites, 1971). Rokeach (1973) suggested that the concept of values seems likely to occupy a central position in the social sciences, providing a unifying theoretical and empirical network. In an effort to better understand the structure of values associated with vocational maturity, the present study is an examination of vocational maturity in relation to work values. Two questions were investigated: (1) Is degree of patterning of work values related to vocational maturity? (2) Is vocational maturity associated with specific work values? Two hypotheses were tested. First, since Werner (1948) postulated that biological and psychological development proceed from undifferentiated, global states to differentiated, patterned states, it was hypothesized that vocational maturity is positively associated with differentiation of work values within subjects. Second, the literature of vocational development asserts that in the process of vocational maturation adolescents and young adulti become increasingly task oriented (Crites, 1969; Super, 1957). It was therefore hypothesized that vocational maturity is positively associated with intrinsic work values and negatively associated with extrinsic work values. IRequests for reprints should be sent to Michael F. Miller, Department of Student Personnel, Queensborough Community College, Bayside, New York 11364.
367 Copyright @ 1974 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved
368
MICHAELF.MILLER METHOD
Sample. The sample consisted of 62 subjects, 24 malesand 38 females, enrolled in sections of a noncredit remedial reading course at an urban community college during the spring 1973 semester. Procedure. Subjects were administered the Vocational Development Inventory-Attitude Scale (Crites, 1971) and, the Work Values Inventory (Super, 1970). The mean age for the entire sample was 22.10, SD = 7.44 yr. The mean vocational maturity score for the total sample was 35.63, SD = 4.77.
On the basisof item content and statementsin the manual for the Work (Super, 1970), the investigator grouped the 15 scalesof the WVI into two categories: intrinsic work values (Achievement, Altruism, Creativity, Esthetics, Intellectual Stimulation, and Management)and extrinsic work values (Associates,Economic Returns, Independence,Prestige, Security, Supervisory Relations, Surroundings, Variety, and Way of Life). Variances of within-subject work value scaleswere computed and Pearsonproduct-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between intrasubject work value variances and vocational maturity for males and females separately. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were computed between vocational maturity and each of the 15 work values for males and females separately. Because of the small sample size, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the correlation coefficients. V&es inventory
RESULTS For females, the correlation between vocational maturity and intrasubject work values variance was r = .427 (p < .OOS,CI = .125 to .657). For males, the correlation between vocational maturity and within-subject work values variance did not reach significance (r = .133, CI = -.286 to .509). The possibility of the males being less vocationally mature than the females was examined. For males, VM = 34.50, SD = 5.52, while for females,VM = 36.34, SD = 4.15; t = 1.33, p < .lO, one-tailed test. A comparison of mean agesof the two groups revealed the males were significantly younger (M= 20.33, SD = 3.50) than the females (M= 23.21, SD = 8.96; t = 1.86, p < .05, onetailed test). Further comparisonswere made between malesand femaleson the WVI scales. Table 1 presents these analyses.Using two-tailed tests, femaleswere higher than males on Achievement @ < .Ol), Altruism (p < .005), and Surroundings (p < .05).
VOCATIONAL MATURITY
369
TABLE 1 Comparisons Between Means for Males and Females on Work Values
Work values
Males (N = 24) M SD
Females (N = 38) M SD
t
Intrinsic Achievement Altruism Creativity Esthetics Intellectual stimulation Management
12.08 11.67 10.92 8.67 11.21 9.54
2.48 2.16 3.13 3.00 2.62 2.93
13.58 13.55 11.74 8.97 12.39 8.53
1.48 1.57 1.86 3.08 2.02 2.39
2.93** 3.89***. 1.27 0.37 1.96 -1.46
Extrinsic Associates Economic returns Independence Erestige Security Supervisory relations Surroundings Variety Way of life
10.50 13.50 11.46 10.13 12.83 12.38 11.50 10.79 12.75
2.75 2.18 2.72 2.49 2.43 2.79 3.13 2.28 2.23
9.79 13.11 11.13 10.97 12.42 12.37 13.00 11.18 13.58
2.52 1.87 2.57 2.41 2.76 2.29 2.08 2.99 1.57
-1.03 -0.74 -0.47 1.30 -0.59 -0.02 2.23* 0.54 1.69
Note-All t tests are two-tailed. *p < .05. **p G .Ol. ***p < .005.
None of the intrinsic work values were positively associated with vocational maturity for males, while for females two intrinsic work values were positively associatedwith vocational maturity: Achievement (r = .103, ns, CI = -.3 13 to .486) and Creativity (r = .051, ns, CI = -.360 to .445). In the case of extrinsic work values, all correlations were in the predicted direction for both males and females, although only three of the nine correlations reached significance for males: Associates(I= -.655, p < .005, CI = -.342 to -.837), Independence (Y= -.424, p < .025, CI = -.025 to -.707), and Supervisory Relations (r = -.458, p < .025, CI = -.067 to -.727). For females, five of the nine correlations reached significance: Associates(I = -.487, p < .005, CI = -.I98 to -.698), Prestige (r=-.363, p < .025, CI = -049 to -.612), Security (r = -.291, p < .05, CI = .032 to -.559), Surroundings (F = - .272, p < .05, CI = .053 to -.546), and Variety (F = -.399, p < .Ol, CI = -.097 to -.638).
370
MICHAELF.MILLER DISCUSSION
Bearing in mind the rather large sampling variability of r due to the small sample size, the results of this study lend partial support to the hypothesis that vocational maturity is positively associated with the degree of patterning of work values. For females, within-subject variance of work values correlated positively with vocational maturity, indicating greater differentiation of work values for the more vocationally mature subjects. Although results did not reach significance for males, the correlation between withinsubject variance of work values and vocational maturity was positive, as hypothesized. In attempting to understand the lack of significant findings for males, it was found that the males were slightly less vocationally mature and were younger than the females. In addition, the greater emphasis which females placed on Achievement and Altruism seems to confirm the somewhat greater vocational maturity of the females, although the greater value they assigned to Surroundings does not. The relative immaturity of the males in comparison to the females of this sample may account for the nonsignificant correlation between vocational maturity and intrasubject work values variance among the males. Nevertheless, the results of testing the first hypothesis suggest that the process of vocational maturation involves the development of work values which proceed from a global to a differentiated structure. The second hypothesis was also partially supported. For extrinsic values, 8 of the 18 possible correlations reached significance as hypothesized. The one extrinsic value which correlated negatively with vocational maturity for both males and females, and which was also the largest correlation within each sex group, was Associates. According to Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory (1970) the emphasis vocationally immature subjects placed on having satisfying interpersonal relationships with co-workers may be related to deprivation of a basic need for belonging. In Maslow’s theory (1970) satisfaction of lower-level basic needs, e.g., the need for security and belonging, leads to the emergence of higher-level needs, e.g., creativity and self-actualization. In the present study, Maslow’s theory predicts the emergence of intrinsic work values upon the satisfaction of needs associated with extrinsic work values. The result that no intrinsic needs were related to vocational maturity at levels of significance was contrary to the second hypothesis. This lack of relationship may have been due to the sample being drawn from remedial reading classes, which consisted of a higher proportion of socioeconomically deprived students, and which had a mean vocational maturity score which was significantly lower than Crites’ normative data for Grade 13 students (1971). The subjects of this sample may have been primarily concerned with extrinsic work values because of their generally low level of vocational maturity and low level of needs satisfaction, which possibly did not permit the emergence
VOCATIONAL MATURITY
371
of higher-level needs and their associated intrinsic work values. A more representative sample, reflecting a higher mean vocational maturity score and a wider range of cognitive abilities and socioeconomic status may yield the relationships hypothesized in this study. For the practitioner, the results of this study suggest that counseling with females which focuses on value clarification and differentiation may be helpful in furthering the development of vocational maturity. Erikson (1963) has theorized that a sense of identity is related to an individual’s ability to crystallize an occupational role choice. Counseling which promotes the patterning of work values may further a more highly differentiated and clearer sense of identity. Vocational immaturity and identity diffusion may then develop into vocational maturity and a firmer sense of identity.
REFERENCES Crites, .I. 0. Vocational psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1969. Crites, .I. 0. The maturity of vocational attitudes in adolescence. Washington, D.C.: American Personnel and Guidance Association, 197 1. Erikson, E. H. Childhood and society. New York: Norton, 1963. Maslow, A. H. Motivation and personality (2nd ed.). New York: Harper & Row, 1970. Rokeach, M. The nature of human values. New York: Free Press, 1973. Super, D. E. The psychology of careers. New York: Harper & Row, 1957. Super, D. E. Work Values Inventory. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1970. Werner, H. Comparative psychology of mental development (Rev. ed.). Chicago: Follett, 1948. Received: February 14, 1974.