The stimulus value, treatment effects, and sex differences when completing the Self-Directed Search and Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory

Assessed men's and women's immediate reactions to completing the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) and the impact of this testing on their subsequent behaviors 1 mo later. A random sample of 96 college freshmen completed either the SDS, SCII, or both instruments. Results indicate that (a) the SDS had significantly more perceived stimulus value than the SCII alone or the SCII and SDS combined, immediately after testing; (b) the SCII was perceived to have greater clarity of directions than the SDS; (c) there were no significant differences between groups on responses to testing or certainty about career planning; and (d) no sex differences between men and women on their immediate reactions to testing were found. A 1-mo follow-up of the Ss indicated that there were no significant sex or treatment differences between groups in satisfaction with career planning, clarity and certainty of ideas about career planning, and time spent thinking about career planning process. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).