The Relationship between Rothwell-Miller Interest Categories and Abilities

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between vocational interests and abilities. The Rothwell-Miller Interest Blank (Miller, 1958), a self-report instrument that measures 12 career interests (outdoor, mechanical, computational, scientific, personal contact, aesthetic, literary, musical, social service, clerical, practical and medical) was used to assess vocational interests. Abilities were assessed by two group-administered objective tests of ability: the Standard Progressive Matrices (Raven, Court & Raven, 1992) and the ML-MQ (Australian Council for Educational Research, 1981). The sample consisted of 3446 individuals (880 females and 2566 males). A weak to modest relationship between interests and abilities was found. The pattern of relationships was consistent with our predictions. Although ability assessment has not traditionally been an important part of vocational assessment, it was concluded that objective ability assessment, together with vocational assessment, assists the development of self-knowledge and realistic career decision-making.