Construct validity of Holland's occupational typology in terms of prestige, census, Department of Labor, and other classification systems

Abstract

Assigned 437 detailed census occupational titles scores from 5 systems for describing occupations: J. L. Holland's (1973) occupational typology, an occupational prestige scale, an occupational self-direction scale, the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, and the Census Bureau classification. A 6th set of scores, occupational reinforcer pattern scores from the Minnesota Work Adjustment Project, were also available for 120 of the titles. Comparisons of the classifications indicate that Holland's occupational typology has considerable validity for describing work activities, general training requirements, and rewards, particularly when it is supplemented by a measure of occupational prestige level. Results also indicate that Holland's theory and future tests of it should take more account of level differences among occupations and specify more clearly the particular domains of job characteristics to which they do and do not apply. (44 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)