Adapting Peabody's technique for measuring prestige in vocational interests

• Grant number: 20/14517-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Fundamentals and Assessments in Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Valentini
• Grantee: Leonardo de Barros Mose
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Campinas. Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Occupational prestige is a critical aspect of vocational interest measurement. However, both constructs' variances are confounded, making it difficult to discriminate between them correctly. We could remove this confusion by adapting Peabody's technique (originally used for assessing social desirability), balancing items measuring the same interest in different prestige poles. Therefore, this project has as main objective estimating and controlling prestige in vocational interests. For that, we will build the Prestige Assessment Inventory in Vocational Interests (PAIVI), using Peabody's adapted technique. This project has three studies in order to meet the main objective. In study 1, we will develop PAIVI in two format responses (Likert and Forced-choice). A number of 500 college students will answer the PAIVI in both formats and the Personal Globe Inventory (PGI), an international interest inventory. We will assess PAIVI internal structure and verify relations with PGI. In study 2, 900 respondents will answer to PAIVI (only one of the available formats), PGI, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS), SENNA 2.0 (adult version manipulated by social desirability), and Abstract and Spatial Reasoning Test (TRAE). We will verify the relationship between interests, prestige, socio-emotional skills, social desirability, and fluid intelligence (abstract reasoning). Finally, study 3 will have a longitudinal design. Study 2 participants will return to answer to the five scales aforementioned after one semester. We will perform a multilevel SEM analysis for longitudinal data to test whether vocational interests' prestige growth is moderated by fluid intelligence and socio-emotional skills. (AU)