Abstract
This study examined the validity of using stories to appraise career dispositions and problems associated with career adaptability. Premedical students (63 women, 37 men) wrote narratives about Thematic Apperception Test cards (TAT) and responded to the Strong Interest Inventory (SII). Independent raters identified identical career adaptability dimensions from TAT stories more than 47% of the time. RIASEC codes derived from TAT responses matched measured codes on at least one theme 82% of the time. Results provided modest support for the reliability of using TAT card responses to derive a RIASEC personality type consistent with measured vocational interests. Further study to increase interrater reliability and hone the scoring scheme for deriving RIASEC codes might bolster the validity of using story to assess vocational personality dispositions and career problems. Ultimately, constructivist approaches could augment differential methods for appraising and fostering career exploration and choice in an integrated career assessment and counseling approach.
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