This study explores the relationship of computer-assisted career guidance activities and career maturity and describes the counselors' role in using the computer. The study used computer-assisted activities with community college students and compared the latter to a control group. The experimental group had greater increase in vocational…

Discusses the need for a better diagnostic approach to career indecision. Suggests a model for differential diagnosis and treatment containing three career indecision types or perspectives, i.e., developmental tasks, acute situational reactions, and chronic psychological concerns. Discusses problems of diagnostic measurement. (WAS)

Compares self-instructional learning packages and traditional methods of improving job-search readiness. The use of the learning packages, which included slides, audiotape and a workbook, resulted in greater job-search readiness than use of the traditional method, a manual package using only a workbook. (Author/JAC)

University students (N=32) with anxious vocational indecision were randomly assigned to five training conditions: (1) anxiety management; (2) problem-solving; (3) both of the above; (4) a placebo procedure; and (5) a no-treatment condition. A combination of anxiety-management and problem-solving training was proven more effective than either…

Investigated relationships between career maturity and Holland's (1985a) constructs of congruence, consistency, and differentiation among individuals with (N=76) and without learning disabilities (N=106). Also examined the relationship between Holland's Investigative personality type and career maturity in individuals with and without learning…

Participants (85 women and 30 men) responded to measures pertaining to careers. Findings reveal that a larger proportion of women than men perceived past barriers as associated with family-related issues. Results also reveal a significant negative relationship between perceived occupational barriers and career maturity for some individuals.…

Explored the relationship between career maturation and chronic anxiety in 142 community college students. Anxiety was found to interfere with acquiring career decision-making skills and vocational identity by disrupting experiences in which they develop. This supports the idea that candidates for counseling to reduce anxiety would profit most…

Administered career development instruments to Asian-American (n=63) and White-American (n=83) college students. Compared to White Americans, Asian Americans had greater preferences for dependent decision-making styles and lower level of career maturity and placed greater emphasis on extrinsic and security occupational value clusters. Found no…

A study examined the role of career maturity in the college persistence of 307 freshmen at a public, residential, four-year college. Results indicate that the My Vocational Situation instrument is reliable and valid, although theoretical formulations should be reexamined. Career maturity was positively associated with several variables important…

A study evaluated the effects of a four-part decision-making workshop on students who were undecided about their selection of a major field of study. More than 1,500 freshmen at a midwestern university who had not declared majors received letters inviting them to the four 2-hour sessions of the workshop. Forty-two students volunteered to enroll in…

A series of explorations of faculty goals drawn from a survey of academic careers is described, providing a view of academic career goals as the faculty see them. The study was conducted at a mid-sized comprehensive state university in the rural midwest. Data were collected as part of a 1984 survey of critical events in faculty careers. Faculty…

This paper demonstrates how issues of lifelong development are cogent at the undergraduate level by discussing the results of a study which explored individual differences among the preservice population. Fuller's developmental model of teachers' concerns combined with theories of life-span development provided the conceptual and operational bases…

A program description of a group approach to vocational counseling is outlined and discussed in terms of theoretical background and application. Preliminary data are also presented that suggest that students show change on an index of career maturity as a result of their participation in the program. (Author)

Outlines a study determining which of two career guidance methods was most effective. A didactic and structured guidance approach proved more effective in promoting career maturity than the more flexible method. Results reveal students' need for structure and suggest beneficial effects of using career guidance in the academic curriculum. (JAC)

Presents biographical information on Lenore White Harmon, noted professor, counselor, and researcher. In a question-and-answer section, Harmon describes her early career decisions, work history, research efforts, professional contributions, important influences and reflections on her career development. (KW)