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CHAPTER 2
TRAIT AND FACTOR THEORY
29. Research evidence exists to
a. challenge Parsons’s original ideas about career development.
b. establish evidence for the reliability and validity of a large number of tests and inventories.
c. support the superiority of general trait and factor theory over work adjustment theory.
d. support the validity of trait and factor theory over Holland’s theory.
30. A test that reveals how much a person has learned is called an
a. accomplishment test.
b. achievement test.
c. aptitude test.
d. interest inventory.
31. Jake has taken a test that shows how much he knows about Algebra, it would be an
a. ability test.
b. accomplishment test.
c. aptitude test.
d. interest inventory.
32. A test that attempts to predict the probable future level of an ability that an individual will have is called
an
a. ability test.
b. achievement test.
c. aptitude test.
d. interest inventory.
33. A test that measures knowledge of plumbing is most likely to be called an
a. achievement test.
b. aptitude test.
c. interest inventory.
d. self-estimate of competencies inventory.
34. A test that measures knowledge of electronics is most likely to be called a (an)
a. achievement test
b. interest inventory.
c. self-estimate of competencies inventory.
d. values inventory.
35. Tests or inventories that give scores on and are normed on specific occupations are most likely to be
a. intelligence tests.
b. interest inventories.
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales
36. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Interests and abilities are independent (The choice you like is unrelated to how good you are in that
area.)
b. Interests and abilities overlap. (If you like something, you are good at it.)
c. Interests and abilities are minimally related. (If you like something, you may be good at it.)
37. Basic interest scales on an interest inventories measure
a. interests in an activity.
b. interests in an occupation.
c. professional interests.
d. general interests.
38. Talking to clients about the hobbies that they enjoy is most likely to reveal information similar to that
obtained from
a. aptitude tests.
b. interest inventories.
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales.
39. When Judith talks to her counselor about how meaningful here work with children who are having
difficulty reading has been, she is discussing information that relates to information from
a. aptitude tests.
b. ability tests .
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales.
40. Talking to clients about their success in a variety of activities such as sports or helping a sick person
is most likely to reveal information similar to that obtained from
a. achievement tests.
b. interest inventories.
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales.
41. When clients discuss their need to dominate others in order to maintain a sense of well-being, they are
discussing topics similar to those measured by
a. achievement tests.
b. aptitude tests.
c. personality inventories.
d. interest inventories.
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42. When clients demonstrate that they are deeply affected by feelings and are apprehensive about their
decisions, they are revealing information similar to that measured by
a. achievement tests.
b. interest inventories.
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales.
43. Which of the following counts and scores correct answers only?
a. achievement tests.
b. interest inventories.
c. personality inventories.
d. value inventories or scales.
44. When clients say ” The test told me I should be a farmer or plumber.”, they are probably misinterpreting
a(an)
a. achievement test.
b. interest inventory.
c. personality inventory.
d. values inventory or scale.
45. When clients say ” The test told me I should be a baker or a forester”, they are probably misinterpreting
a. information about self.
b. information about the labor market.
c. information about career- decision making.
d. They are not misinterpreting anything.
46. Which of these statements contain inappropriate occupational information?
a. The average salary for medical technicians is …
b. Employment is projected to decline because of intense foreign competition.
c. Those who wish to seek secretarial positions should be female.
d. Captains and engineers working in water transportation should have a degree from a merchant marine
academy or should have passed certain tests.
47. Which of the following is inappropriate career information?
a. A list of similar careers
b. Descriptions of employer preference for hiring men or women
c. Descriptions of physical activities required
d. Descriptions of volunteer opportunities
48. Which of these statements contain inappropriate occupational information?
a. Employers prefer men for roofing work.
b. Employment of engineers is expected to increase faster than average.
c. Medical technologists perform complicated chemical and biological tests.
d. Training in electronics can be obtained on the job.
49. Data, persons, things are categories that are used in this classification system:
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration
c. Holland’s system
d. O*NET
50. SRA and CAI are codes that would be found in this classification system:
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration
c. Holland’s system
d. Standard Occupational Classification System
51. Which of these classification systems has 23 major groups and 97 minor groups?
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration
c. Holland’s system
d. Standard Occupational Classification System
52. In the DOT code 123.456.789 which digit refers to dealing with data
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
53. In the DOT code 123.456.789 which digit refers to dealing with things
a. 1
b. 3
c. 5
d. 6
54. In the DOT code 123.456.789 which digit refers to dealing with people
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
55. Alphabetical order of the occupational titles in this DOT code (123.456.789) are indicated by which
number(s)?
a. 1
b. 123
c. 7
d. 789
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56. Which of the following classification systems is most related to commonly known interest areas?
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration
c. O*NET
d. Standard Occupational Classification System
57. The O*NET classification system takes the place of the
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration System.
c. Holland’s system.
d. Standard Occupational Classification System.
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58. Which of the following occupational classification systems was designed so that it can be updated on
the computer?
a. Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration System.
c. Holland’s system.
d. The O*NET
59. Which of the following occupational classification systems is the most complex?
a. Super’s system
b. Guide for Occupational Exploration System.
c. Holland’s system.
d. Standard Occupational Classification System.
60. Which of the following words would be inappropriate to use when describing an occupational title?
a. fire fighter
b. plumber
c. policeman
d. roofer
61. Which of the following occupational titles would be inappropriate to use when describing someone’s
occupation?
a. accountant
b. electrician
c. police officer
d. waitress
62. Which of the following conclusions about gender differences on a variety of traits is most accurate?
a. Differences between workers within occupational groups are often greater than differences between men
and women.
b. Men’s abilities in math and science are superior to those of women regardless of culture.
c. Men tend to underestimate their abilities more so than women on tasks requiring quantitative and
analytical skills.
d. Women rate income and prestige as more important than men do.
63. A problem that members of minorities have faced in the past is
a. a lack of knowledge about social service occupations.
b. failure to assess their interests.
c. failure to assess their values.
d. lack of available occupational information.
64. Which of the following counselors is most accurately applying general trait and factor theory?
a. Counselor A assigns personality, abilities, values, and interest inventories or tests and then suggests
appropriate occupations for the client to enter.
b. Counselor B provides information on 12 different engineering occupations to a client that is considering
engineering as a career choice.
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c. Counselor C helps a client assess her abilities, interests, values, and personality, provides occupational
information about occupations that fit these traits, and helps the client make a decision.
d. Counselor D helps her client understand the effect of her early educational experiences on her choice of
an occupation.
65. Brian says that he wants to enter an occupation that has plenty of job openings. A trait and factor
counselor would point out that Brian is failing to consider
a. abilities, interests, and values.
b. Brian’s parents’ views.
c. job location, salary, and required education.
d. scores on interest inventories.
66. Trait and factor theory focuses on
a. adjustment to the job.
b. identifying traits.
c. individual growth.
d. parental preference for occupation.