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Abstract

There are many experimentally untested economic theories on causes of chronic or recurrent “involuntary” unemployment of the able-bodied. The Keynes-inspired theory positing completely impersonal factors such as aggregate demand and the interest rate is usually cited. No one has thus far, systematically tested individual psychological characteristics of chronically underemployed persons to assess possible causes. The WAIS and 4 other tests selected for measuring psychopathic tendencies, rather than clinical psychological illness, were given 50 able-bodied chronically underemployed men. Tests were given orally to avoid illiteracy problems. All tests, except one which was inconclusive, showed statistically significant differences between the underemployed group and a control group of 50 steadily employed men of similar age, with limited, though somewhat higher educational levels. Greater incidence of aberrant test scores among the underemployed persisted after interaction of uncontrolled variables of race and education were statistically excluded. Underemployed showed lower IQs and more socially maladaptive personality characteristics, suggesting early developing, if not lifelong psychological handicap. The findings indicate need of consideration of such factors as sources of underemployment in theoretical and practical approaches to the problem.

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Underemployment: Economic or Psychological?

Abstract

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References