An Empirical Investigation of Role Schemata: Occupations and Personality Characteristics

Abstract

This study concerned the nature of stereotyping of occupational role information. The sample ( N = 110; 56 women, 54 men) ranged in age from 15 to 71 yr. ( M = 31 yr.). Subjects were asked to rate the extent to which 12 personality characteristics (introverted/extraverted, leader/follower, cold/warm, idealistic/realistic, competitive/cooperative, concerned with self/concerned with others, generous/greedy, high-strung/relaxed, honest/dishonest, feminine/masculine, logical/emotional, intelligent/non-intelligent) typify people in 14 occupations (teacher, business executive, actor, lawyer, librarian, clergy, homemaker, police, doctor, secretary, therapist, nurse, repair person, athlete). Multidimensional scaling procedures indicated that the predominant dimension differentiating the perceived personalities of persons in these occupations was achievement orientation versus helping orientation. Results show that people have well-developed schemata regarding the personalities of others in a number of different occupations. Recommendations for research are discussed.