Toward a dimensional model of vocational interests.

Abstract

Growing evidence on the predictive validity of vocational interests for job performance calls for greater consideration of interest assessment in organizations. However, a consensus on the fundamental dimensions of interests that are aligned with the contemporary world of work is still lacking. In the current research, we developed an organizing framework of vocational interests and empirically validated an 8-dimension model (SETPOINT: Health Science, Creative Expression, Technology, People, Organization, Influence, Nature, and Things). We propose that interests are structured hierarchically, with preferences for specific work activities at the lowest level (assessed using interest items), basic interests for homogeneous classes of activities at the intermediate level (assessed using basic interest scales), and broad-band interest dimensions describing general tendencies of individuals to be drawn to or motivated by broad types of work environments at the top. To derive broad-band interest dimensions, it is necessary to base it on a comprehensive range of content-specific basic interest constructs. In Study 1, we conducted an extensive review of existing basic interest scales and developed a new assessment of basic interests with 41 homogeneous scales across two samples. In Study 2, we demonstrated the structural validity of the proposed dimensional model using second-order confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling with a large, diverse sample of working adults and supported its predictive validity for occupational membership in new and traditional sectors of work. We discuss implications from the current findings for building interest theory, using interest assessment for organizational research, and evaluating interest structure with appropriate methods.

Fit gets better: A longitudinal study of changes in interest fit in educational and work environments

“…There have been recent calls for the use of vocational interests in recruitment and personnel selection (e.g. Nye et al., 2012; Oswald et al., 2019; Su et al., 2019). Based on the prominence of selection processes found in this study, organizations may be encouraged to heed these calls.…”

The Interest Profiles and Interest Congruence of Male and Female Students in STEM and Non-STEM Fields

“…In any case, this will require further development in the interest inventories, e.g., by distinguishing the R dimension with respect to physical or manual technical work and more white-collar professions. Su et al (2018) followed this approach by developing an eight-dimensional interest model.…”

Personality Psychology

“…Narratives can be conceptualized at the level of the society and culture (McLean et al, 2019). Goals can be operationalized as daily concerns or broad values (Schwartz, 1994) and interests (Su et al, 2019). Skills can be conceptualized as overall competence or differentiated into more and more molecular manifestations that are increasingly specific to situations and contexts (Wirth et al, 2020).…”