Traces Donald Super's theory of career development, studies modifications in Super's conceptualization of life stages, and notes changes in the definition and conception of the career construct. Includes 63 references. (JOW)

States that the construct of maturation's central role in career development theory seems outdated. Introduces the five articles concerning career maturity contained in this journal issue. (MKA)

Results of the California Psychological Inventory and Career Development Inventory for 200 college students indicated that planful competence in career development is related to greater realization of one's potential and social adjustment. Mature attitudes toward career planning are related to extroversion and a positive orientation to social…

Background: This study applied the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in an attempt to predict longitudinal growth of career exploratory behaviour in school pupils. The importance of information for making considered career decisions is indicated in theories of career development and choice, career education programmes, and concepts of career…

Tests the notion that job reinforcers and occupational values are related to vocational maturity. The importance of 21 reinforcers and 11 values were rated by 207 vocational rehabilitation clients and 59 graduate students. Data indicates that choice of occupational reinforcers and preferences for specified values are reflected in the individual's…

Discusses the relationship between vocational maturity and a set of developmental and/or psychological characteristics--moral development and social interest among adolescents. The conclusions and counselling implications suggest that vocational maturity is significantly correlated with social interest and moral development. (Author/BL)

Posits that the current CETA program has imposed barriers that oppose the goal of increasing the work capabilities of the participants. Employment and training programs have been improperly designed to deal successfully with those having difficulty with work adjustment. (JOW)

Investigates the level of career maturity of adjudicated and nonadjudicated high school students with and without disabilities. No significant differences existed between nonadjudicated and adjudicated students without disabilities. Adjudicated students with emotional and learning disabilities scored significantly lower than nonadjudicated…

Black (n=113) and Asian American (n=68) students completed racial/ethnic identity, career development, and salience instruments. Among blacks, there was a significant relationship between racial identity attitudes and life role salience domains. For Asian Americans, cultural identity attitudes were significantly related to career maturity domains.…

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of data from the Life Orientation Test Revised for 504 adolescents demonstrated its bidimensionality. High optimism was associated with high levels of career planning, exploration, decision-making confidence, and career-related goals. High pessimism was associated with career indecision, low…

Problems posed by the measurement of vocational maturity are discussed. A combined rational-empirical methodology is proposed as a possible solution and a model of vocational maturity is formulated. (Author)

Compared the results obtained by two traditional designs on the Career Maturity Inventory-Attitude Scale with the effects of an alternative design: constructing a composite longitudinal gradient. The two traditional methodologies yielded different results from each other for males, but not for females. (Author)

Explored the effectiveness of a counseling intervention for disadvantaged adults (N=20). Results indicated that the Adkins Life Skills Program increased clients' vocational maturity, and they became more involved in their own career development. Reading ability influenced scores. (JAC)

Describes a series of psychometric analyses of the Career Development Inventory (CDI), using latent trait measurement models, with a sample of 680 Australian high school students. Results suggest that, although some modifications are needed, the CDI has generally desirable psychometric properties. (JAC)

The essence of teacher maturity can be synthesized into personal, professional, and process domains. Although overlapping, these categories add a multidimensional approach to the search for what is good in teaching and provide a model for professional development. (MT)