Self-Image, Goal Blockage, Significant Other Influence, and Anticipatory Occupational Goal Deflection.

The task undertaken in this research was to extend the Curry-Picou Goal Deflection Model by introducing additional variables. Variables considered were main breadwinner's occupation, race, family structure, birth order, goal blockage, significant other influence, self-image, and anticipatory occupational goal deflection (AOGD). Data were collected from a 3-wave panel of 134 East Texas rural male youths over a 6-year period. Group-administered questionnaires were given to the subjects in 1966, when the subjects were in the 10th grade; again in 1968; and in 1972, when personal interviews were used on the original respondents, who were by this time 4 years beyond expected high school completion. Major findings included that race was seen to be a statistically significant variable in the data from all 3 years; that the 1972 model explained 12% of the variance; and that the explanatory power of the model seems to increase over time. It was suggested that AOGD is related to realism in the status attainment process and that further research from that perspective might prove fruitful. (PS)