An analysis of occupational aspirations of early adolescent black students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of occupational aspiration of Negro youth in relation to ability, curriculum choice, anticipatory goal deflection, and stability of choice. The objectives of the study were: (1) To determine what differences, if any, exist between idealistic and realistic levels of occupational aspiration of seventh-grade Negro youth. (2) To determine what changes, if any, occur in the expression levels and discrepancy scores of Negro youth between junior high school (seventh-grade) and early senior high school (tenth-grade). (3) To determine what differences, if any, exist between expression levels and discrepancy scores of Negro youth, enrolled in different high school curricula. (4) To determine what differences, if any, exist between expression levels and discrepancy scores of Negro youth, having different levels of intelligence. The sample consisted of 103 Negro male students enrolled in the seventh-grade in the Bryan Public School System, Bryan, Texas, during the 1968-69 school year and who entered the Bryan High School during the 1971-72 school year. Three levels of occupational aspiration scores for each subject were obtained through use of the Occupational Aspiration Scale. Besides a total score, which is the sum of the raw score from all items, a realistic LOA score, an idealistic LOA score, and a discrepancy score were obtained. The Otis Quick Scoring Test of Intelligence, Beta Test, Form CM was used to assess the intelligence level for each student..