Personality differences among men in selected Air Force specialties.

Abstract

Job placement based on aptitude has provided the human resources necessary to perform the Air Force mission but has not produced a work force that is satisfied with the duty assignments that are made. A consideration of enlistee personality and interests might refine this job placement system. The purpose of this study was to determine if personality differences exist among men in selected Air Force specialties using Holland's Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI). The specialties were compared further by means of the Environmental Assessment Technique. The specialties investigated were electronics technician, administrative specialist, inflight refueling operator/ specialist, and security policeman. Significant differences among these specialties were found on 4 of the 11 VPI scales: realistic, intellectual, self-control, and status. In general, the Environmental Assessment Technique did not differentiate among the specialties. Implications of the findings for counselors of prospective and enlisted airmen were drawn. Finally, further research of this type was recommended to provide the data necessary for more refined and more effective job placement in the Air Force.

A test of Holland's environment formulations.

“…Several methods have been used to investigate Holland's environment formulations. The most common method was to compare personality measurements on employed workers in occupations representing environment models (Andrews, 1973;Bates, Parker, & McCoy, 1970;Fabry, 1975Fabry, , 1976Fishburne & Walsh, 1976;Gaffey & Walsh, 1974;Harvey & Whinfield, 1973;Horton & Walsh, 197,6;Hughes, 1972;Lacey, 1971;Morrison & Arnold, 1974;O'Brien & Walsh, 1976;Osipow, 1970;Schuldt & Stahmann, 1971;Walsh, Horton, & Gaffey, 1977;Werner, 1969;Wigington & Apostal, 1973). The results of these studies have generally been in the direction hypothesized by Holland's theory.…”

The construct validation of Holland's model of vocational choice using PAQ job analytic information

“…Similar studies include Horton and Walsh (1976), Walsh, Horton, and Gaffey (1977), and Wigington and Apostal (1973)» as well as many other studies. Via this method, support for Holland's formulations were generally found.…”

The Correlation of Value Profiles and Vocational Choice

“…Wasserman (1974), in using Holland's theory to test the personality and vocational choices of adolescent girls, concluded that it was more appropriate for career-oriented than for homemaker-oriented women. Wigington and Apostal (1973), in testing personality differences among men in selected Air Force specialties, found that the realistic and investigative scales discriminated among four Air Force specialties for men who reenlisted in the Air Force.…”