the effectiveness of skills), or both. Whatever changes there may
be, P tries to achieve a certain level of satisfaction and maintain it.
There are a number of problems with the construct, satisfaction.
For one, satisfaction depends on perception. Satisfaction occurs
only when P perceives a need as being filled. This brings up a prob-
lem that complicates all theoretical reckoning in psychology: the
problem of the “perceived” versus the “actual.” Thus, for example,
P may be dissatisfied, even if E is actually filling P’s needs. Con-
versely, P may be satisfied, even if E is actually not filling P’s needs.
Satisfaction or dissatisfaction in these instances appears to be based
on “faulty” perception. But how do we determine when perception
is faulty?
Another problem is posed by the fact that the satisfaction of
one need may be separate from the satisfaction of other needs. In
other words, there may be as many satisfactions as there are needs.
Furthermore, these single-need satisfactions may be distinct from
overall satisfaction, which may be based on the satisfaction of some,
most, or all needs—or even of just one extremely important need.
The relation of overall satisfaction to single-need satisfaction is
an unresolved problem in PEC theory. There is a choice between
overall satisfaction as “global” (separate from single-need satisfaction)
or as “total score” (the sum of single-need satisfactions). For the lat-
ter, there is the further choice between compensatory and noncom-
pensatory models. Compensatoryis when surplus for one need can
compensate for lack in another, whereas in noncompensatory,all
needs have to be minimally satisfied; surpluses do not count.
PEC theory sees these choices (global versus total score, com-
pensatory versus noncompensatory) as a matter of individual dif-
ferences. This creates problems in assessing satisfaction for a group
of Ps, although less so for a single P (say, in a counseling setting,
where we can ascertain which model a particular client holds). The
solution for research purposes has been to make one approach fit all
situations. But even if there were good reasons to use one approach,
the question would still be which to use.
434 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT