Career Decision

-------------------------------------------------

Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale.

Acronym:

CDMSE

Author:

Betz, Nancy E. ; Taylor, K. M

Publication Date:

1983-1994

Publisher Information:

Nancy E. Betz, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 104 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue Mall, Columbus, OH 43210-1222

Review of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale by JAMES K. BENISH, School Psychologist, Helena Public Schools, Adjunct Professor of Special Education, Carroll College, Helena, MT:

The Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE) is a tool for measuring 'an individual's degree of belief that he/she can successfully complete tasks necessary to making career decisions' (manual, p. 8). The scale was developed for group administration to college students, and has as its foundation Bandura's sources of information regarding the concept of self-efficacy expectations. Previous studies conducted by the authors apply the theories of self-efficacy to vocational psychology and counseling through the application of 'Crites' (1978) model of career maturity and assessed in the Career Maturity Inventory' (manual, p. 8). There has been much research in the area of career decision making, and this scale is based on that research.

The CDMSE was developed to provide information regarding 'Self-Appraisal, Occupational Information, Goal Selection, Planning, and Problems-Solving' (manual, p. 10). The 50-item scale is intended to be administered in a group setting utilizing generic answer sheets provided by the user. A short version (25-item scale) is also available and retains the same five-factor structure as the complete CDMSE. User qualifications necessitate knowledge of career development and the theories from which this test was based. The CDMSE is a research tool that can be used for career counseling within a classroom setting. Although graduate level training is not specified, it would appear that...