Profiles of Hispanic Adolescents and Adults on the Holland Themes and Basic Interest Scales of the Strong Interest Inventory

Abstract

The Strong Interest Inventory and its predecessors have been the subject of decades of research. Many studies have used Holland's Six General Occupational Themes, and some have explored the 23 Basic Interest Scales. The literature addresses IQ in vocational counseling and includes studies relating Holland's themes and the 23 interest scales. The subjects included a nationwide sample of 894 13- to 65-yr.-olds tested during the standardization of the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test. Multivariate analyses of variance were conducted with age, gender, and IQ on the intelligence test as independent variables, and the six Holland themes and 23 interest scales as dependent variables. IQ was related to Investigative and Artistic themes. Individuals with high IQs scored nearly one standard deviation higher than individuals with low IQs on each of these scales. A number of Basic Interest Scales correlated significantly with IQs, most of which were associated with either the Investigative or Artistic themes. Correlations of IQ with Holland Themes and scores on Basic Interest Scales were observed for both genders. The information gained from an individually administered intelligence test can enhance interpretation of the Holland themes and interest scales for vocational counseling.