The effects of modeling of career counseling and sex of counselor on interest in non-traditional occupations for women

Abstract

This study was an attempt to present a theoretical rationale and laboratory data in support of a practical, effective technique toward expansion of consideration of work possibilities for women, specifically, by peer social modeling of interest in nontraditional occupations. Subjects were female undergraduate students, undeclared majors enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts of Texas A&M University. Random assignment of a total of 32 subjects to two experimental treatment groups and one control group was performed. Experimental Group I received modeling treatment A, a series of three videotapes, graduated in content, of approximately 20 minutes duration each, with modeling of interest in nontraditional occupations for women by three peer social models, and counseling and reinforcement provided by a male counselor. Experimental Group II received modeling treatment B, a similar series of videotapes with the same content and peer social models, but with a female model counselor. The control group did not see a series of videotapes. All three groups received post-testing for treatment effects. Criteria for evaluation were operationally defined to reflect interest and preference for nontraditional occupations. These criteria were the Vocational Preference Inventory scales, a Job Stereotype test, the Attitude Towards Women Scale and a simulated career choice test. Results of the experimental study indicated significant differences in two of the dependent variables, Masculinity (measured by the VPI) and Nontraditional Preferences, selected in the career choice simulation. This tentatively supported the conclusion that peer modeling of interest in nontraditional occupations for women was an effective method of increasing this interest.