This article continues a series of analyses using the "theory of careers" developed by John Holland to examine the patterns of student stability and change inherent in the college experience--as part of an effort to understand the satisfaction, learning, and retention of college students. The underlying basis of Holland's theory is that human…

Found, through survey data analysis, that students whose personality type was incongruent with the environment of their major gained about equally in abilities and interests pertinent to that environment as students with congruent personalities. Interpreted results in terms of a socialization dynamic being more prevalent than a personality…

A study tested John L. Holland's theory that achievement is a function of the congruence between personality type and environment, focusing on college students' achievement within their academic majors. Subjects were 2,309 students enrolled in a wide variety of majors. Results indicate differences in effect size for "congruent" and "incongruent"…

Examined the relationships between institutional culture, decision-making approaches, and organizational effectiveness through a survey of 639 faculty and administrators at 30 public two-year colleges. Colleges with a strong adhocracy culture were able to minimize the impact of difficult enrollment and financial conditions, perhaps by enabling the…

The distinctive patterns of personal and career incentives of faculty affiliated with different types of colleges and universities reaffirms the centrality of organizational diversity to informed descriptions of American higher education. A refinement of the Carnegie Commission typology is offered to aid in the systematic study of organizational…

Using a multivariate cluster analysis procedure, the authors identified five distinct types of adult learners. The unique motivational profile for each is discussed within the context of the need for postsecondary institutions to be responsive to the range of educational motivations of their adult students. (Author/LBH)

A causal model is proposed and estimated to assess the relative influence of precollege attributes, institutional characteristics, and academic, social, and career-related collegiate experiences on the socioeconomic achievement of 2,118 former college students over a nine-year period. (Author/MLW)

The citation frequencies found in the journal literature for 51 Carnegie Commission sponsored research reports were compared with 51 Jossey-Bass publications. Little or no difference was found in the quality of the journals that cite either type of publication. (Author/MLW)

The influence of previous college involvement, organizational characteristics, early career experiences, and current self-concept on the intention of college dropouts to resume their college education is examined. (Author/MLW)