A MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING APPROACH TO GENDER AND AGE STEREOTYPING IN OCCUPATIONS

A multidimensional scaling (MDS) approach was used to study occupational stereotypes with respect to age and sex. Female undergraduates were asked to assume the role of a career counselor and rate the similarity in suitability of 11 occupations for one of the following four hypothetical clients: a 24 year-old female, a 24 year-old male, a 46 year-old female, or a 46 year-old male. There were 10 specified occupations and one other referred to as "the most suitable occupation for the client". Four dimensions were found using the MLSCALE program for multidimensional scaling. One dimension, identified as prestige, was found to be used in all four client conditions. Another dimension was identified as person-orientedness. In the two female-client conditions, it was a unitary dimension whereas in the two male-client conditions, it was represented by two dimensions. A direct approach also was used to verify the dimensions identified with the MDS approach. Subjects were given the list of 10 occupations and then asked to assume the role of a career counselor and select from the list the one they considered to be the most suitable occupation for one of the aforementioned hypothetical clients. Subjects also were asked to rate the prestige of the 10 occupations and how person- or thing-oriented these occupations were. The scales on these two dimensions were similar for both the MDS and direct-approach conditions. The MDS and the direct approach (once the dimensions were identified) provided information about age and sex stereotypes. More prestigious occupations were recommended for the younger client and more person-oriented (as opposed to thing-oriented) occupations were recommended for both young and older females.