Attempting to discover a classification scheme that discriminates stereotypes
persons hold regarding members of different occupations, we construct an
experiment varying occupations across three levels of occupational prestige within
each of three categories of occupational situs. Within this design, 168 respondents
each rate members of three occupations on six personality dimensions. Analysis
of these data demonstrates that occupational prestige influences perceptions of
intelligence, responsibility, and assertiveness. Perceptions of likeability, emotion
ality, and rebelliousness also discriminate members of different occupations, but
do so independently of both occupational prestige and the "rationality" cluster of
perceptions defined above. Occupational situs proves ineffective in systematically
differentiating perceptions on these six personality traits.
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