A comparison of two approaches to the Cognitive Differentiation Grid

The Cognitive Differentiation Grid (CDG), much used as a measure of vocational differentiation, owes its heritage to Personal Construct Theory but represents an important departure from the theory and poses serious limitations to the study of vocational cognitions. This study examined whether a more theoretically consistent version of the CDG would yield results different from the currently used CDG. As hypothesized, it was found that subjects using their own constructs evidenced greater vocational differentiation than those using the CDG. It was also found that males evidenced greater vocational complexity than females. These data were interpreted to suggest that the CDG may be problematic in the study of vocational cognitions. The discussion focuses on the extent to which these data replicate and extend earlier research in cognitive complexity and on implications for career development research and practice.