Holland's Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work Environments

The origin of John L. Holland's theory of vocational personalities can be traced back to his 1966 publication Psychology of Vocational Choice, which was followed by four subsequent editions of Making Vocational Choices. With each edition, Holland built a more comprehensive theory of career counseling and tackled new issues arising from the complex relationship between human personality and suitable work environments. The theory is formulated around the fundamental observation that people possess different traits, behaviors, and interests that can be organized according to six groupings or types. The six types are called Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC), each of which characterizes a type of person who may gravitate to, choose, and enjoy a specific occupation or vocational area. In career counseling circles, it is common to hear a counselor refer to a Social or Investigative type person as a shortcut to describe someone who possesses clear, identifiable traits, personality characteristics, or behaviors. In a similar vein, the theory recognizes that work environments, the settings in which people work, live, and play, can also be organized according to the RIASEC typologies. It is theoretically appropriate to hear a career counselor describe a work function as a Conventional type job or a Realistic type activity. Through the use of the typological system and through the process of matching people who represent specific types with similar typed environments, career counselors try to enhance the likelihood that their clients will make satisfying career choices that lead to career stability and ultimately to career success and achievement.