Achievement motivation research provides a basis for understanding the processes by which socialization into stereotypical feminine roles shapes the educational and vocational aspirations of adolescent women. Young women are socialized to be interested in pleasing others, motivated to achieve in traditionally feminine areas, and fearful of success relative to atypical areas of achievement. This socialization process seems to be contrary to developing personality characteristics and behaviors which are prerequisites for achieving in masculine vocational areas. Many young women make negative decisions early in life in response to perceived and internalized stereotypes affecting their achievement motivations and behaviors. Because of the nature of the socialization process, the young woman enters the exploratory stage of vocational development with strong dispositions which determine the activities and roles she chooses to explore. Vocational guidance programs need to structure the learning environment of young women to provide experiences which challenge and expand self-definitions, enabling adolescent women to develop more positive self-concepts and to seek achievement in a wider range of vocational areas. (Author/NRB)