Journal of Vocational Behavior, 4, 97-113 (1974) A Multivariate Investigation of the Reinforcer Structure of Occupations’ HOWARD E. A. TINSLEY University of Oregon and DAVID J. WEISS* University of Minnesota Earlier research based on 8 1 Occupational Reinforcer Patterns (ORPs) suggested a nine-category classification of occupations. The present research, based on 148 ORPs, investigated the ability of that classificatory system to assimilate new information. Cluster analysis of the 148 ORPs yielded an eight-category classification of occupations in which five of the original occupational clusters appeared virtually unchanged; the other four original clusters were combined into two occupational clusters. One new cluster was identified. Principal factors analysis was emplqyed to study the factor structure of the occupational reinforcers and to highlight the essential nature of the classificatory system, Five reinforcer factors were identified. Frank Parsons (1909) first directed the attention of psychologists to the problem of vocational choice. According io Parsons, successful vocational choice required a clear understanding of the aptitudes, abilities, interests, ambitions, resources, and limitations of the worker; a knowledge of the requirements for success, advantages and disadvantiges, compensation, opportunities, and prospects of different jobs; and a knowledge of the relationships between these two sets of information. Many contemporary vocational theorists have expanded Parsons’ model and explicitly postulate a correspondent relationship between characteristics of the individual and the occupational environment (Ginzberg et al., 1951; Blau et al., 1956; Roe, 1956; Super, 1957; Holland, 1966; and Lofquist & Dawis, 1969). Considerable research has been directed to the study of the needs and abilities of workers and the ability requirements of jobs. Moreover, numerous IThis study was supported in part by Research Grant 12-P-55192 from the Social and Rehabilitation Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 2Requests for reprints should be sent to David J. Weiss, Department of Psychology, Elliott Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455. 97 Copyright 0 1974 by Academic Press, Inc. AU rights of reproduction in any form reserved.