This use of commensurate P and E variables enables a direct
one-to-one assessment of P-E correspondence, first, by examining
the difference on each commensurate variable and, second, by
examining overall correspondence as aggregated across all variables
or all variables of one class. (We should note that in mathematics,
there are four ways of assessing correspondence: one-to-one, one-
to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many. We chose to begin with
the simplest way.)
As an independent variable, P-E correspondence has at least
two outcome (or dependent) variables: P satisfaction and E satis-
faction (or P satisfaction and P satisfactoriness, when the focus is on
P. Note that these two variables serve as independent variables
when P-E correspondence is used as a dependent variable). P-E cor-
respondence can serve as the independent variable to several other
outcome variables, such as (for work environments) productivity,
profit, morale, mental health, turnover or retention rates, and acci-
dent or safety records.
To summarize: correspondencehas two meanings in PEC theory:
(1) a process meaning, that is, the mutual responsiveness of P and
E, indicated by each other’s satisfaction and satisfactoriness (corre-
spondence as a dependent variable), and (2) a content meaning,
that is, the one-to-one match-up of the commensurate characteris-
tics of P and E (correspondence as an independent variable). This
second meaning of P-E correspondence is the operational definition
that will be used in the propositions of PEC theory given in the
next major section.
Adjustment
According to PEC theory, when there is correspondence, both P and
E strive to maintain it by continuing to do what they have been
doing. When there is discorrespondence, whoever is dissatisfied
(either P or E or both) attempts to restore correspondence by doing
“something else,” that is, by “adjusting.” Hence adjustmentis defined
PERSON-ENVIRONMENT-CORRESPONDENCE THEORY 437