ments predicts and explains the behavior and interactions that
occur in those environments (satisfaction, stability, performance,
and so on). This model of person-environment fit implies some
change and adjustment in people and in the environments in
which they work (Holland, 1997; Spokane et al., 2001). The indi-
vidual is viewed as a relatively stable entity (Costa, McCrae, &
Holland, 1984; Tyler, 1995) who moves in and out of environments
rationally when the perceived fit is no longer optimal.
The organizing system described in this chapter has been ap-
plied to the construction and interpretation of interest inventories,
to the organization and classification of occupational information
in libraries, to the construction of self-help materials, books, and
computer programs, and especially to research on nearly every as-
pect of vocational and counseling psychology.
Formal Statement of the Theory
The following statements from Holland’s book (1997) provide an
overview of the model:
- In our culture, most persons can be categorized as one of
six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enter-
prising, or Conventional. - There are six model environments: Realistic, Investigative,
Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or Conventional. - People search for environments that will let them exercise
their skills and abilities, express their attitudes and values,
and take on agreeable problems and roles. - Behavior is determined by an interaction between person-
ality and environment. [Holland, 1997, p. 4]
Holland Personality Types
An interest type is a theoretical organizer for understanding how
individuals differ in their personality, interests, and behaviors. Types
originate in heredity and in direct activities that yield interests and
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