Occupational preferences: Perceptions of valence and instrumentality, and objective data

Abstract

Administered a questionnaire to 160 business-major college students to assess perceptions of 5 basic occupations (e.g., sales). Ss designated their most preferred occupation and ranked all 5 occupations in terms of valence and instrumentality for 6 job factors. There was a positive relationship between a direct statement of occupational preference and a Valence * Instrumentality measure of occupational preference. Instrumentality perceptions tended to be objectively based. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)