Basic structure of work-relevant abilities.

This study sought to determine whether the dimensions underlying a comprehensive set of 15 work-relevant abilities were similar to the Data/Ideas and Things/People Work Task Dimensions (D. J. Prediger, 1996) underlying J. L. Holland's (1997) hexagonal model of interest and occupational types. The work task dimensions and a general ability dimension served as factor targets in principal components analyses of ability self-estimates obtained from nationally representative and cross-sectional samples of 4,387 and 618 12th graders. The composition of the factors that were extracted corresponded to expectations based on the work task dimensions and Holland's hexagon. Implications for practice are noted. Study results also suggest the need for a new look at the structure of human intelligence.