Holland's Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work Environments


The Theoretical Era can be divided into two categories: Modern and Postmodern. This blog will discuss one theory from the Modern Era, Holland’s Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work Environments.


Theorist: John Holland
Summary

  • Holland provides a practical applications for his theory 
    • Recognizing individual differences and how various aspects of career theory can be applied to help clients describe their own unique career paths
  • People can be characterized in terms of 6 categories
    • Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC)
    • The more closely people resemble a type, the more they exhibit the traits and behaviors of that type
    • Categories differ in terms of interests, vocational and avocational preferences, goals, beliefs, values, and skills
  • Using a hexagon can help visually understanding the calculus (or relationship) of one type to another

    • The closer one type is to another, the more it resembles the other.
    • The farther the relationship is to another, the more unlike they are
  • This theory can predict the ease or difficulty in making a career choice
  • Congruence is also important and can be predicted with this theory
    • The more congruence between a person's personality type and the environment, the more satisfaction with their career choice
    • All environments may be majority composed of particular personality patterns, but never purely only one personality types  
  • Differentiation helps one refine or modify predictions of vocational behaviors
    • Some of us have a stronger identity with one personality over the rest
  • Vocational Identity - establishing how clear a picture one has of one's current career plans
Additional Links:
Reference: 
Gysbers, N.C., Heppner, M.J. Johnston, J.A. (2014). Career Counseling: Holism, Diversity, and Strengths. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

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