Early determinants of vocational choice.

This chapter discusses some hypotheses about the relationships between early experience and attitudes, abilities, interests, and other personality factors that affect the ultimate vocational selection of the individual. Some hypotheses with regard to personality variables are expressed in behavior are considered. Gross hereditary differences in such things as specific sensory capacities and the plasticity and complexity of the central nervous system must affect behavior, but beyond these it is uncertain how far specifically genetic elements are primary factors. The hereditary bases for intelligence, special abilities, interests, attitudes, and other personality variables seem to be non-specific. The pattern of development of special abilities is determined by the directions in which psychic energy comes to be expended involuntarily. These directions are determined by the patterning of early satisfactions and frustrations. The intensity of the unconscious needs, as well as their organization, is the major determinant of the degree of motivation as expressed in accomplishment.