Occupational interests: Male-female or high level-low level dichotomy?

Abstract

The relation between occupational level and masculine and feminine interests was investigated to determine whether sex differences in interests would be minimized at the high end of the occupational continuum and dichotomized at the low end. Subjects were scored on four experimental scales derived from Kuder OIS scales-Male, Female, High Occupational Level, and Low Occupational Level. Scores were subjected to several analyses, including comparisons of mean differences within and across groups, and an errors of classification study. In general, results were consistent with the proposed hypothesis. A strong, unpredicted relation, for the two male groups, between high occupational level and female interests was hypothesized to be the result of a verbal factor common to both sets of interests.