The Bias in the Schein's inventory

Schein's inventory Questionnaire on career anchors – a widely used research instrument can give you insights into the perspectives of working professionals and an understanding of the impact of their preferences on their career choice. I flipped through the screens while taking part in one survey using it. While I could relate with most questions, there were some I found had a clear bias that would skew the responses on one side. I do not understand the psychological logic behind this bias and yet, I have a feeling that my responses could differ if only the statements used different words.

For example, the LS (Lifestyle) questions like these:

“I would rather leave my organization than to be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns”

“I feel successful in my life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements”

Are possibly biased.

How many of you would agree to the first statement? Would you agree that you are willing to compromise your personal and family life for a career? Most of us do and yet, would not willingly accept it in public. We do not intend to but not given much choice, we take pursue careers that are demanding. Most of us do not question the status quo or authority to go the other way. And yet, most times, we say that we do to appeal to social acceptability. The word “compromise” is a blaster that pops up a pang of guilt inside you. You may have the realization that you have compromised but wilful acceptance of it is the question when responding to this question.

The second question says that one who can balance the personal, family, and career is seen as successful. Who would not agree to such a statement? Maybe a few would not if they are extremely focused on one side of life and are okay with it. However, people who want social acceptance and are in majority would always agree to this statement. Moreover, people keep talking work-life balance and the concept is hyped so much that everyone thinks that real success is defined by your ability to balance. So, most of us would never disagree.

I found some more questions that I do not agree with. The GM (General management) question, “I dream of being in charge of a complex organization and making decisions that affect many people.” It is asking if I am dreaming about heading a big team and taking a critical decision that can affect many people. Whether I am working on a job, doing business or self-employed, I will always have that dream. The only possibility of me not having the dream is if I am a person who wants to remain in shadow and not do anything challenging. But even if I do, would I agree on it in public? Or even to self?

The SV ( Service Dedication) question, “I am most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others.” If I disagree with this question then it would mean that I am doing a job which does not make use of talent or maybe I don’t have a talent that could be used. Even in that case, if I was able to use the talent once, I would feel fulfilled. So, the answer is almost always in agreement. The ability to use your talent is naturally fulfilling. So, what is the point of asking a question that already has an answer ingrained? When the questionnaire was first constructed, there could be a need to let the world know that talent matters but it is still required to ask when people have already accepted it widely that talent is the requirement for fulfillment? Maybe a deeper view inside it can be more helpful. It is my personal opinion and you can have a different one.

The CH (Pure Challenge) question, “I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have solved seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over seemingly impossible odds.” Would anyone show disagreement with this question? It is logical to feel fulfilled when you are able to solve an impossible problem. The question does not leave the possibility of not relating to it. Every person in life must have had one such an experience at some point of time in life and would have felt fulfilled. A question that is objective should have the possibility of showing at least a few people for every possible response. If ai disagree that I am feeling fulfilled when I am solving the unsolvable. It would mean that I have never done that in my life which is socially disgraceful so even if it is true for me, I would still agree that I had such an experience. The truth would not come out unless I am a really depressed or a pessimistic person who doesn’t feel any point in life or is of the view that I am not good enough so I have checked that option. However, even in that case, the response will remain biased because if I am a coward and has never tried solving problems in life, how would I even know if that experience could be fulfilling. I may not even be fulfilled in my life.

This is a well-known questionnaire which is widely used by thousands of research students as well as researchers, I am not sure if I am educated enough to provide expert comment and yet, I feel I have questions. I am a writer who understands the power of words and I could see a few words that were very high on the emotional quotient and thus, cannot deliver purely objective results.

I would like to understand if these biases were intentionally created and if they were, then what was the psychological principle or assumption on which they were based.

Can anyone help me understand?