The Relation of Self-Efficacy and Assertiveness to Willingness to Engage in Traditional/Nontraditional Career Activities

Abstract

The relation of self-efficacy and assertiveness to the willingness of women to engage in traditional or nontraditional career activities was studied. One hundred and twenty-two undergraduate females took the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (Taylor & Betz, 1983) and the Assertive Behavior Assessment for Women (Osborn & Harris, 1975) and were asked to rate their willingness to engage in the career-related activities of ten traditional and ten nontraditional occupations for women. Strong self-efficacy expectations and assertiveness were related to the willingness to engage in the career-related activities of nontraditional occupations, but not traditional ones. However, regardless of level of self-efficacy or of assertiveness, women were more willing to engage in the career-related activities of traditional occupations. Implications of the results for career counseling are discussed.