Assessing differences in accuracy of self-estimates of vocational interests: An idiographic analysis using profile decomposition

Abstract

This study provides idiographic analyses of profile measures of self-estimated and measured interests for 1814 high school pupils who were administered an interest inventory (Vocational Interest Survey) and self-rating scale (Work Interest Survey). Similarity between self-estimate and measured interest profiles was assessed using the correlation between individual's profiles and the squared Euclidean distance (D²) and its components (elevation, scatter, and shape by scatter). The effects of vocational type, consistency and differentiation of interests derived from Holland's theory of types, as well as 10 individual difference factors (e.g., intelligence, personality, and career development factors) were considered. Results indicated that 93.5% of correlations between self-estimated and surveyed interests were positive and around 55% were greater than 0.7. It was generally the case that most individuals were able to estimate their surveyed interests fairly accurately, with 942 individuals having almost identical profiles (i.e., D² within 6 units of 0). The importance of profile constructs such as differentiation and consistency for self-estimate accuracy was highlighted.