in PEC theory as the attempt to restore P-E correspondence; mainte-
nanceandadjustmentare the two major modes of behavior. P and E
are in one or the other mode at any given time in the P-E interaction.
Adjustment entails change, if discorrespondence is to be
replaced by correspondence. The change may occur (or be effected)
in either P or E or both. The change may be in requirements (needs)
or in capabilities (skills) or in both. To focus on P for the moment:
P’s adjustment may take one or some combination of four basic
forms, depending on what change takes place and where change
takes place, as follows:
When P is dissatisfied with E,
- P may get E to change the kind or number of reinforcers that
P is receiving from E to fill P’s needs. - P may change the kind or number of needs (reinforcer
requirements) that it (P) has.
When P is unsatisfactory and E is dissatisfied with P, which then
affects P’s satisfaction,
- P may use more skills, use them at higher (more effective)
levels, or acquire new skills to fill E’s response requirements
(E’s needs). - P may get E to change the kinds or levels of response require-
ments (E needs) that P has to fill.
There are therefore four points at which intervention may be
introduced for P’s adjustment to take place: the reinforcers provided
(see 1) and response requirements (see 4) of E, and the needs (see
2) and skills (see 3) of P. In other words, P’s adjustment can be ac-
complished by effecting change in E (termed active adjustment) or
change in P (termed reactive adjustment), and the change can be in
skills or in needs.
438 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT