Correlates of profile elevation and two differentiation indices in the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI), Self-Directed Search, and related inventories are examined to clarify the meaning of elevated and low profiles. The traditional differentiation index is not independent of profile elevation. Other results imply that profile elevation is also related to indicators of a tendency to endorse items in the positive direction and to independent measures of positive, energetic, or impulsive response style. The correlations with independent criteria are usually weak. The possibility that counselors may over-interpret profile elevation in the VPI and related inventories is discussed.
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