Knowledge organization as a factor in career intervention outcome: A multidimensional scaling analysis.

Multidimensional scaling techniques (MDS) were used to examine the learning outcomes associated with J. L. Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS; J. L. Holland, 1990). One hundred forty-six participants were randomly assigned to 3 conditions: the SDS, an attentional control, and a no treatment control. Based on the speculations of J. L. Holland, T. M. Magoon, and A. R. Spokane (1981), we hypothesized that participants who had completed the SDS would acquire Holland's complete RIASEC organizing scheme. No evidence of Holland's 2-dimensional RIASEC configuration was found for any of the groups. Examination of the 3-dimensional MDS solutions, however, suggested the presence of a prestige dimension and supported Holland's scheme as represented by D. J. Prediger's (1981) Things–People and Data–Ideas constructs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)