Abstract
Vocational interests have been in the center of research for decades. While substantive empirical evidence has been gathered and analyzed, the theoretical explanation regarding interest as a psychological construct has been neglected. The current paper reviews and reexamines relationships of vocational interests with some vocational-relevant variables (i.e., ability, success, and satisfaction), oriented toward theoretical construction. It is shown that while there are no correlations between interests and actual relevant abilities and performance, there is a positive relationship with satisfaction. It is theorized that cognitive functions mediate between actual (tested) abilities, previous performance, satisfaction, and interests. The theoretical model proposes that interests are a function of this mediating process, i.e., perceived abilities, expected success, and anticipated satisfaction. The relationships between this model and other relevant theories are discussed as well as its implications to career development theory and research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Vocational Behavior |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1981 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Applied Psychology
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
- Life-span and Life-course Studies