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The Challenge and Promise of Cognitive Career Assessment

Linda S. Gottfredson
First Published May 1, 2003

Abstract

Abilities are as important as interests in career choice and development. Reviving


cognitive assessment in career counseling promises to help counselees better
understand their career options and how to enhance their competitiveness for the
ones they prefer. Nearly a century of research on human cognitive abilities and jobs'
aptitude demands in the U.S. economy reveals that the two domains are structured in
essentially the same way. The author describes that common structure and how it
can be used in assessing person-job match in terms of general ability level and ability
profile. She also suggests ways of resolving various technical and professional
questions, such as which cognitive abilities to assess, how to assess them, what the
most useful aptitude-based occupational classification would be, and how to use
cognitive assessments in a broader “reality-based exploration” process intended to
expand people's career opportunities.

Keywords Career assessment, cognitive abilities, career choice, aptitude


requirements, occupational classification

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First Published June 1, 1994 Research Article

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Abstract

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Nancy E. Betz
First Published July 1, 2000 Research Article

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Abstract

This article reviews the basic postulates of self-efficacy theory and describes its
applications to the study of career choice and development. Following a discussion of
issues involved in the measurement of perceived self-efficacy with respect to
domains of career behavior, measurement of and research on occupational self-
efficacy, mathematics self-efficacy, self-efficacy with respect to basic domains of
activity, and career decision self-efficacy are reviewed. The relationship of self-
efficacy to vocational interests and the particular relevance of the theory to the career
development of women and members of racial/ethnic minority groups are also
discussed.

Keywords Self-efficacy theory,, career self-efficacy,, social cognitive theory,, career


decision self-efficacy,, self-efficacy and interests

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First Published February 1, 2007 Research Article

Download PDF Article information

Abstract

This is the first article evaluating the concurrent validity of the 2005 Strong Interest
Inventory (SII). The Basic Interest Scales (BISs) were substantially revised to reflect
the changing workplace, so such an update is particularly important. Concurrent
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SII.

Keywords Basic Interest Scales, concurrent validity, educational major, hit rates, 2005
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Donald G. Zytowski
First Published August 1, 2001 Research Article

Download PDF Article information

Abstract

A new approach to interest assessment, Kuder Career Search, is described. The


third generation of the Kuder interest inventories, it goes beyond the conventional
homogeneous and criterion group scaling to match inventory-takers with each of the
individuals in a pool of criterion persons employed in a wide variety of occupations.
The rationale for this novel concept is reviewed as is the methodology of person-
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Keywords Kuder Career Search, person-match, career assessment, internet-based


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