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Identity-processing style and decision making theory: factors to consider when adolescents are deciding upon a career

University of British Columbia

While taking a personological approach to decision making theory, this thesis addresses the issue of how adolescents make occupational decisions. Implicit in this thesis is the idea that a personological approach to decision making has theoretical and practical significance when it is conducted through a personality orientation. The personality orientation used to examine adolescent decision making is the social cognitive theory of Berzonsky's identity-processing styles. Based on Berzonsky's identity-processing styles, 63 adolescents were classified as Informational, Normative and Diffuse/ avoidant for assessing the extent compensatory (high demand) and non-compensatory (reduced-demand) processing was used in an occupational choice situation that varied in cognitive complexity. Additional interest was also directed at determining whether the identity-processing styles reflected different intrinsic or extrinsic value preferences in their final choices. All processing data was derived through a computerizedinformation acquisition system called MOUSELAB. As hypothesized, the three identity-processing styles differed significantly in cognitive strategy usage and search behavior. Informational adolescents were seen to use a compensatory additive linear procedure; that is, they searched a large amount of information, in a constant fashion, for an extended period of time. Normative adolescents were seen to use a non-compensatory conjunctive procedure; that is, they searched a smaller amount of information, in a selective fashion, fora shorter period of time. Diffuse/avoidant adolescents were seen to use a non-compensatory elimination-by-aspect procedure; where the amount, selectivity and time of search was similar to the Normative adolescents. In regards to search direction, Informationals and Normatives were seen to assess occupational choices through an alternative-based search pattern whereas; Diffuse/avoidants were seen to lean towards an attribute-based search pattern. These processing results were true only for the high information load condition. Finally, as expected theoretically, value preferences were seen to vary according to an adolescent's identity-processing style. When making an occupational selection, Informational adolescents placed more emphases on intrinsic values (Feeling of Self-fulfilment, Intellectual Stimulation, Autonomy ect) whereas Normative adolescents placed more emphases on extrinsic values (Authority, Prestige, Wage etc). Diffuse/avoidant adolescents oscillated between the two value systems. Implications for decision making theory, applied suggestions for professionals counselling job-seeking adolescents and limitations of the study are discussed.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-04-03

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6783

Special Education

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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