Blog 2: Empirical Era

About 1914 to 1945 – WWI ending to WWII 

·         Tests focused developed and use focused on:

1.       aptitude

2.       abilities

3.       interests

Vocational Psychology would be known as a psychological science.

Merges Frank Parson’s vocational guidance with Alfred Binet’s intelligence testing into aptitude and interests testing. 

E. K. Strong published the first edition of today’s Strong Interest Inventory (1927).

Minnesota Mechanical Ability Tests were published (1930s).

Minnesota Employment Stabilization Research Institute at University of Minnesota was established – due to the depression – conducted research and developed many tests.

The Wagner-Peyser Act was passed by congress - created the U. S. Employment Service. 

The Army General Classification Test was a major test used for personnel classification. The Matching Men to Jobs approach eventually transformed into the Trait and Factor theory.

Links or video that are helpful to describe/summarize:

YouTube video that summarizes the intelligence testing work of Alfred Binet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KEAow2cTIk

Overview of Parson’s Theory:

https://www.careers.govt.nz/resources/career-practice/career-theory-models/parsons-theory/

Blog 1: Observational Era

Mid 1800s – Mid 1950s

Saw rapid industrial growth, social protest and reform (Progressive Movement) and utopian idealism.

YMCA and Lysander Richards – practitioners 

·         Practitioners used these in their vocational guidance:

1.       Phrenology

2.       Physiognomy

3.       Palmistry

Frank Parsons – Considered the dominant visionary of Vocational Guidance 

·         Opened the Vocational Bureau in the Civic Service House (1908)

·         Used the term Vocational Guidance for the first time in 1908

·         Used a 3-step approach – written in his book Choosing a Vocation (1909)

1.       Clear understanding of yourself, your aptitudes, interests, ambitions, resources, limitations, and their causes

2.       A knowledge of the requirements and conditions of success, advantages and disadvantages, compensation, opportunities, and prospects in different lines of work

3.       True reasoning on the relations of these two groups of facts

·         Used self-analysis through seven steps:

1.       Personal Data

2.       Self-Analysis

3.       The Person’s Own Choice and Decision

4.       Counselor’s Analysis

5.       Outlook on Vocational Field

6.       Induction and Advice

7.       General Helpfulness in Fitting in the Chosen Work

James Cottell, Hugo Munsterberg, and H.L. Hollinworth - advocates

·         Advocates who urged the use of mental test.

·         Army Alpha and Beta tests (WWI) was first large-scale paper pencil test

Links or videos that are helpful to describe/summarize:

Journal of Career Development – Frank Parsons Overview

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02106301

Vocational Guidance Counselor SATIRE:  (Sometimes we need funny)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elGyspl-EZo