Multidimensional Perceptions regarding Actual and Potential Job-Placement Success of Mentally Retarded Adults

Abstract
2 investigations were conducted to determine the cognitive criteria used by professional counselors in evaluating actual and potential job-placement success. Ss in Study 1 were 10 institutionalized male retardates being considered for job placement. Ss in Study II were 15 male retardates who were considered successful on job placement. The judges made similarity estimations for pairs of stimulus-persons (paired comparison technique) where zero indicated no similarity and 100 indicated identity. These judgments were analyzed by MESA, a recently proposed multidimensional scaling methodology. The results scaled actual and potential job placements on a number of meaningful dimensions and suggested a method to objectively specify clinical-staff consensus.