Testing social cognitive career choice model across Holland types in high school students

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown & Hackett, 1994) was originally formulated in order to integrate different models and constructs, to achieve a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the development of vocational interests, career choice and academic performance (Lent, et al., 1994, 2000). In this research, several hypotheses emanating from SCCT were tested. The sample was composed by Argentine high school students, who completed a series of measures, such as: sources of self-efficacy, self-efficacy beliefs, interests and intentions of career choice. These measures were analyzed in each of the six types raised in the RIASEC model (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional) of Holland. The results indicate general support for the hypothesis of SCCT, which suggest an influence of the sources of self-efficacy on the origin of self-efficacy beliefs and how they, together with interest, determine the intentions of career choice, but not evenly in all types raised by Holland. We consider the limitations and implications of these findings for further research.