Biology, in An Introduction to Vocational Psychology

home > textbook > biology > hormones
Hormones
by Andrew D. Carson, Ph.D.

Hormones affect the acquisition of expertise and the development of career in a variety of presumably powerful but indirect and poorly understood ways. Donald Super (see summary of theories) was among the first vocational psychologists to note the likely importance of hormones on the development of interests and career.

In utero exposure to unusual levels of certain hormones may have profound consequences on the developing children, even into adulthood. For obvious ethical reasons, we cannot do experimental research on this issue, and must turn to literatures such as clinical trials for medications for data. In one report, girls exposed in utero to abnormally high levels of androgens later developed greatly increased intelligence (25 points higher than the norm) coupled with increased risk for hermaphrodism.

What do similar levels of exposure to unusually high levels of sex hormones have on boy fetuses? Marc Breedlove, a University of California Berkeley psychologist, reports in an article in Nature that elevated androgen levels in utero can increase likelihood of homosexual sexual orientation for both boys and girls. (We hasten to note that this brings to mind Carl Jung's interests in the synchronistic way that names often fitted one's particular "calling.") The implication of Breedlove's research for vocational psychology is that other researchers have found correlations between sexual orientation and adult vocational interests. It may be that, in addition to whatever direct genetic factors are at play in the development of interests, in utero hormone levels may well also affect the channeling of adult vocational interests. Research research on hormone-transfer theory in utero may also provide a way of testing theories of the impact of in utero hormone levels and subsequent vocational behavior.

To what degree do the individual differences in hormones associated with different preferences for play in early childhool predict subsequent academic and vocational interests and behavior? How do such differences in hormone levels affect the child's relationships in the family, and perhaps indirectly channel the development of interests and skills that will affect subsequent vocational development?

How do hormonal changes associated with the transition to adolescence and sexual maturation affect vocational interests and vocational behavior?

The Strong Vocational Interest Blank had an interest maturity scale that correlated with age, suggesting that there exist stable age-related changes in interests. However, the scale was dropped from the instrument and this topic has not received attention for some time. Do there exist predicatable age-related changes in interests that we might attribute, at least in part, to changes in hormonal levels across the lifespan?

Effects of hormones on domain specific interests, vocational choice, and vocational adjustment may also be studied through observation of populations that receive hormones through substance use or medication. What changes in vocational interests or behavior are associated with homone supplements?

One may take advantage of so-called natural experiments involving hormone-producing organs, such as the testes, in situations in which such organs are damaged (say, by disease, wounds, or toxins) or removed (as was the case with eunuchs). What changes in vocational interests or behavior tend to follow the removal of or damage to such organs?

Do vocational interests and behavior of women change after menopause, and if so, can we attribute such changes to hormonal changes associated with menopause?

Substantial research supports Martha McClintock's original finding that women living in close proximity often shift to the same period for their menstrual cycle. Recent research confirms that pheromones produced through women's underarms can alter other women's menstrual cycles. Is this also true for women working together for sustained periods of time? If so, what mechanisms mediate this? Do work teams on the same 'cycle' function more effectively than those that do not?