Investigating Holland's Vocational Theory

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RUNNING HEAD: INVESTIGATING HOLLAND'S THEORY 1 Investigating Holland's Theory of Vocational Carol Reager Hale Dr. Demitrius Donseroux RUNNING HEAD: INVESTIGATING HOLLAND'S THEORY 2 Holland's Theory John Holland's theory of vocational personalities and work environments is one of the popular, frequently used and respected theories in career development. Holland created a trait factor theory of vocational development and he believed that one's selection of a career is an expression of one's personality (Ohler & Levinson, 2012). His assertion was that the “higher the agreement or congruence between one's personality and one's chosen occupation, the higher the level of job satisfaction” (2012); personal achievement was also related to the same congruence. From the article of Ohler and Levinson (2012), Holland asserted that people can be categorized by six personality types: Realistic (R), Investigative (I), Artistic, Social (S), Enterprising (E) and Conventional © (2012). The Realistic type likes to work with animals, tools or machinery, avoids social activities, works with machines and tools and practical things; sees self as practical, mechanical and realistic. The Investigative likes to study and solve problems science and math type problems, avoids leading or persuading people, sees oneself as precise and intellectual. The Artistic prefers to do things that are categorized as creative activity, such as art and drama and sees self as expressive and independent. The Social type gravitate toward helping others and may engage in activities like teaching, counseling and nursing. This category of thinkers like to help people, solve social problems and sees self as friendly, and trustworthy. Enterprising people tend to lead and persuade others and is good at selling things or ideas, values politics, business or leadership. Finally,
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