Author: Stephanie Jane BennettPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
The Development of Vocational Interests and Abilities in Secondary School Aged Children
Author: Stephanie Jane BennettVocational Interest Development in Adolescence - Integrating Insights about Normative Change, Stability, and Influencing Factors
Author: Thomas GfrörerPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Vocational interests are significant predictors for various life outcomes, educational decisions, and occupational choices. They are frequently assessed in practice through the application of interest inventories and used by vocational counselors to guide career-related decisions of students and jobseekers. In research, vocational interests are seen as relatively stable dispositions that develop over multiple years. Due to their stability and their impact on people's everyday life's, vocational interests are often included in models of individual differences. It is assumed that they describe patterns of persons general motives that are part of their personality. Theories about vocational interests suggest that they begin to develop over the course of adolescence--stability is assumed to increase and changes in interest intensity are expected. However, more empirical evidence is needed as current studies mainly focus on the description of vocational interest development in later life phases, such as the transition from late adolescence to young adulthood. Empirical studies that capture early life phases of development, such as the time period of late childhood and early adolescence (ages 11 to 14), are scarce. In addition, relatively little is known about possible factors that might influence the development of vocational interests. It is suggested that differences in personality characteristics and external factors could lead to differences in developmental trajectories. The aim of the current dissertation was to do a comprehensive investigation of the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18). The development of interest stability, intensity, and gender differences was investigated. It was assumed that vocational interests increase in their stability over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18). Interest intensity was assumed to decrease from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and to increase from middle to late adolescence (ages 15 to 18). Gender differences in vocational interests were assumed to increase from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and being relatively stable afterwards. Besides these overall aims, the three studies included in the current dissertation focused on individual and contextual factors that could influence the development of vocational interests. It was assumed that personality characteristics are associated to vocational interest profile stability and that the engagement in leisure-related activities could influence the development of vocational interests. In all studies, vocational interests were measured based on Hollands (1997) RIASEC model. The first study investigated the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence. Besides examining mean-level change, gender differences in mean levels, and re-test correlations of vocational interests, the study focused on dispositional and situational components of vocational interests. The investigation was inspired by recent theories, which assumed that vocational interests are dispositions that also consist of situation susceptible components. Data was used from a large-scale longitudinal sample (N = 3,876), where students from low and middle track schools in Germany were annually followed from fifth to eight grade (mean ages 11 to 14). The results suggest that vocational interests became more stable over the three-year period, as indicated by increases in re-test correlations for four of six interest dimensions. In addition, mean levels of vocational interests decreased descriptively from late childhood to early adolescence for all interest dimensions, except Social interests. Gender differences in mean levels were already large in terms of effect sizes around age 11 and further increased over time for all interest dimensions, except Artistic interests. Results from latent state-trait analysis suggest that vocational interests consist of both, stable and situation susceptible components. However, the proportion of the stable components increased over time. The second study investigated the profile stability of vocational interests and its relation to personality traits, cognitive abilities, and gender. It was proposed that differences in individual characteristics could lead to differences in profile stability. The study investigated the research question in four different life phases: late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14), middle adolescence (ages 14 to 15), late adolescence to young adulthood (ages 17 to 23), and a longer time period over the course of young adulthood (ages 22 to 34). Data was used from four, previously conducted, large-scale longitudinal studies. Each life phase was consequently covered by a different sample from a different study. All the samples included students that lived in Germany. The results suggest that vocational interest profiles were moderately stable during the three-year time period from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and highly stable during the one-year time period during middle adolescence (ages 14 to 15), the six-year time period from late adolescence to young adulthood (ages 17 to 23), and the twelve-year time period over the course of young adulthood (ages 22 to 34). Indicators of profile stability significantly varied between persons in each of the four life phases, suggesting that profile stability differed across participants. Gender was related to differences in profile stability in all life phases, with girls and women having significantly more stable profiles compared to boys and men. Associations of profile stability to personality traits and cognitive abilities were rather small. Consistent relationships were found for verbal cognitive abilities and the personality trait Extraversion, with higher scores being related to more stable vocational interest profiles. The third study investigated the impact of engaging in unstructured out-of-school time science activities, such as reading a science book, watching a science TV show, or researching on the internet about science, on the development of various constructs, including vocational interests. In line with theories about interest development, it was assumed that the engagement in unstructured out-of-school time science activities could foster the evolvement of vocational interests, as they possess advantageous properties for the initiation of situational interest. Data was used from a large-scale longitudinal sample (N = 2,655), where students from different school tracks in Germany were followed over three time points from ninth, eleventh to twelfth grade (mean ages 15, 17, and 18). Based on an outcome-wide longitudinal design for causal inference, the impact of unstructured out-of-school time science activities on the development of vocational interests was investigated. To account for self-selection effects, numerous confounder variables, such as pretests of vocational interests, other motivational variables, and ability-related constructs, were included in the analysis. The results suggest that the engagement in unstructured out-of-school time science activities had a robust influence on Investigative vocational interests, but not on the remaining interest dimensions. The findings on interest stability, intensity, and gender differences over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18) were integrated from the three empirical studies. The findings suggest that stability of vocational interests increased over the course of adolescence. Interest intensity decreased from late childhood to early adolescence and increased from middle to late adolescence, as shown by changes in mean levels. Gender differences increased over the course of late childhood and early adolescence, as indicated by increasing mean levels between girls and boys. Deviations from the proposed general trends in interest stability, intensity, and gender differentiation are described in the general discussion. Findings of the three empirical studies are summarized and discussed regarding their implications for vocational interest development. It is proposed that experiencing activities can initiate the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence. Practical implications, limitations, and an outlook for future research are provided at the end of the general discussion section.
Focus on the Future
Author: Nancy PerryPublisher: IDEA
ISBN: 9781932716139
Category : Career education
Languages : en
Pages : 204
Book Description
Offers secondary school teachers a practical curriculum on career development, with thirty-six lesson plans designed to help students learn about their interests, abilities, values, and aspirations, and related them to their occupational choices.
Vocational Interest Development in Adolescence - Integrating Insights about Normative Change, Stability, and Influencing Factors
Author: Thomas GfrörerPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Change
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Vocational interests are significant predictors for various life outcomes, educational decisions, and occupational choices. They are frequently assessed in practice through the application of interest inventories and used by vocational counselors to guide career-related decisions of students and jobseekers. In research, vocational interests are seen as relatively stable dispositions that develop over multiple years. Due to their stability and their impact on people's everyday life's, vocational interests are often included in models of individual differences. It is assumed that they describe patterns of persons general motives that are part of their personality. Theories about vocational interests suggest that they begin to develop over the course of adolescence--stability is assumed to increase and changes in interest intensity are expected. However, more empirical evidence is needed as current studies mainly focus on the description of vocational interest development in later life phases, such as the transition from late adolescence to young adulthood. Empirical studies that capture early life phases of development, such as the time period of late childhood and early adolescence (ages 11 to 14), are scarce. In addition, relatively little is known about possible factors that might influence the development of vocational interests. It is suggested that differences in personality characteristics and external factors could lead to differences in developmental trajectories. The aim of the current dissertation was to do a comprehensive investigation of the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18). The development of interest stability, intensity, and gender differences was investigated. It was assumed that vocational interests increase in their stability over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18). Interest intensity was assumed to decrease from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and to increase from middle to late adolescence (ages 15 to 18). Gender differences in vocational interests were assumed to increase from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and being relatively stable afterwards. Besides these overall aims, the three studies included in the current dissertation focused on individual and contextual factors that could influence the development of vocational interests. It was assumed that personality characteristics are associated to vocational interest profile stability and that the engagement in leisure-related activities could influence the development of vocational interests. In all studies, vocational interests were measured based on Hollands (1997) RIASEC model. The first study investigated the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence. Besides examining mean-level change, gender differences in mean levels, and re-test correlations of vocational interests, the study focused on dispositional and situational components of vocational interests. The investigation was inspired by recent theories, which assumed that vocational interests are dispositions that also consist of situation susceptible components. Data was used from a large-scale longitudinal sample (N = 3,876), where students from low and middle track schools in Germany were annually followed from fifth to eight grade (mean ages 11 to 14). The results suggest that vocational interests became more stable over the three-year period, as indicated by increases in re-test correlations for four of six interest dimensions. In addition, mean levels of vocational interests decreased descriptively from late childhood to early adolescence for all interest dimensions, except Social interests. Gender differences in mean levels were already large in terms of effect sizes around age 11 and further increased over time for all interest dimensions, except Artistic interests. Results from latent state-trait analysis suggest that vocational interests consist of both, stable and situation susceptible components. However, the proportion of the stable components increased over time. The second study investigated the profile stability of vocational interests and its relation to personality traits, cognitive abilities, and gender. It was proposed that differences in individual characteristics could lead to differences in profile stability. The study investigated the research question in four different life phases: late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14), middle adolescence (ages 14 to 15), late adolescence to young adulthood (ages 17 to 23), and a longer time period over the course of young adulthood (ages 22 to 34). Data was used from four, previously conducted, large-scale longitudinal studies. Each life phase was consequently covered by a different sample from a different study. All the samples included students that lived in Germany. The results suggest that vocational interest profiles were moderately stable during the three-year time period from late childhood to early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) and highly stable during the one-year time period during middle adolescence (ages 14 to 15), the six-year time period from late adolescence to young adulthood (ages 17 to 23), and the twelve-year time period over the course of young adulthood (ages 22 to 34). Indicators of profile stability significantly varied between persons in each of the four life phases, suggesting that profile stability differed across participants. Gender was related to differences in profile stability in all life phases, with girls and women having significantly more stable profiles compared to boys and men. Associations of profile stability to personality traits and cognitive abilities were rather small. Consistent relationships were found for verbal cognitive abilities and the personality trait Extraversion, with higher scores being related to more stable vocational interest profiles. The third study investigated the impact of engaging in unstructured out-of-school time science activities, such as reading a science book, watching a science TV show, or researching on the internet about science, on the development of various constructs, including vocational interests. In line with theories about interest development, it was assumed that the engagement in unstructured out-of-school time science activities could foster the evolvement of vocational interests, as they possess advantageous properties for the initiation of situational interest. Data was used from a large-scale longitudinal sample (N = 2,655), where students from different school tracks in Germany were followed over three time points from ninth, eleventh to twelfth grade (mean ages 15, 17, and 18). Based on an outcome-wide longitudinal design for causal inference, the impact of unstructured out-of-school time science activities on the development of vocational interests was investigated. To account for self-selection effects, numerous confounder variables, such as pretests of vocational interests, other motivational variables, and ability-related constructs, were included in the analysis. The results suggest that the engagement in unstructured out-of-school time science activities had a robust influence on Investigative vocational interests, but not on the remaining interest dimensions. The findings on interest stability, intensity, and gender differences over the course of adolescence (ages 11 to 18) were integrated from the three empirical studies. The findings suggest that stability of vocational interests increased over the course of adolescence. Interest intensity decreased from late childhood to early adolescence and increased from middle to late adolescence, as shown by changes in mean levels. Gender differences increased over the course of late childhood and early adolescence, as indicated by increasing mean levels between girls and boys. Deviations from the proposed general trends in interest stability, intensity, and gender differentiation are described in the general discussion. Findings of the three empirical studies are summarized and discussed regarding their implications for vocational interest development. It is proposed that experiencing activities can initiate the development of vocational interests over the course of adolescence. Practical implications, limitations, and an outlook for future research are provided at the end of the general discussion section.
The Development of Career Awareness in Young Children
Author: Aimée DorrPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Career education
Languages : en
Pages : 426
Book Description
Nature of Vocational Development Among Secondary Vocational Education Students
Author: Steven Robert SchollPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 480
Book Description
A Survey of the Permanence of Vocational Interest Over the High School and University Period
Author: Ramona Irene WinklerPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 100
Book Description
Vocational Interests of Secondary School Students ...
Author: James Hiram BedfordPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Occupations
Languages : en
Pages : 156
Book Description
Possibilities for Revealing Vocational Interests Through High School Subjects
Author: Louise Ida MartinTransforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8
Author: National Research CouncilPublisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309324882
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 587
Book Description
Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.