Degree Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

Major

Psychology

First Advisor

Lisa M. Larson

Abstract

Multiple theories regarding vocational choice have suggested that personality may be meaningfully related to vocational interest and vocational self-efficacy (Barrick, Mount, & Gupta, 2003; Larson and Borgen, 2006; Larson, Rottinghaus, & Borgen, 2002; Nauta, 2007), as well as the underlying mechanism (Hansen et al., 2011). One limitation in the literature of understanding the linkages between personality traits and interest and self-efficacy may be that personality traits have only been conceptualized from two dominant models, namely the Big Five (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and the Big Three (Tellegen, 2000). As discussed by Larson (2011), the use of additional models of personality may lead to greater understanding of key factors of vocational interest and self-efficacy. Using the constructs of the behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) as defined by Gray’s (1990) Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality, the purpose of this study was to determine if BAS and BIS related to vocational interest and self-efficacy. Data was collected through an online survey, and a sample of 265 college students with an average age of 19.62 years old (SD = 2.81) from a large Midwestern university was obtained. Correlations between vocational interest, as measured by the Strong Interest Inventory (Donnay, Thompson, Morris, & Schaubhut, 2005), confidence, as measured by the Skills Confidence Inventory (Betz, Borgen, & Harmon, 2005), and BIS and BAS, as measured by the BIS/BAS scale (Carver & White, 1994) were calculated. BAS was found to be meaningfully correlated with both enterprising interest and confidence, as well as global liking of vocational activities. BIS was found to be negatively correlated with indifferent responses and realistic interests. Limitations, implications, and future areas of research are discussed.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-5499

Copyright Owner

Dustin Forrest Baker

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

111 pages

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Psychology Commons

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