Review of Vocational aspiration levels of adults

Abstract

Reviews the book, Vocational aspiration levels of adults by Harold A. Wren (1942). Vocational psychologists who see this book will probably expect to find a study in which dynamic material, such as that found in many laboratory studies of aspiration level, throws light on the practical problems of vocational adjustment and job satisfaction. Wren's study is no such ambitious project. Modestly, and rather ploddingly, it confines itself to the first of the above topics. It attempts to ascertain the factors which fix the level of aspiration in a group of adults, by determining the social and psychological characteristics of those at each occupational status and aspiration level. The result is a limited but worthwhile contribution to our knowledge of the development and functioning of vocational ambitions. Wren's study makes a real contribution to our knowledge of the nature and operation of vocational ambitions. Its conclusions and implications should be known to all vocational psychologists and counselors, as well as to others who work with youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)