Holland influenced practice and research in career development by contributing a clear theory useful in organizing information about individuals and career alternatives and for understanding individuals' entry and persistence in occupational and other environments. His theory was repeatedly revised in response to evidence. As Holland's own career…

Holland pioneered the theory of vocational personality and work environments, revolutionizing delivery of career assistance. His research has been central to development of knowledge about nonacademic accomplishments. He has influenced both researchers and psychologists. (163 references) (SK)

Self-beliefs are not measures of ability and skill but they are correlated with interests and activities and are useful predictors of occupational choices. Holland's theory of vocational personalities provides a framework compatible with Social Cognitive Career Theory and goal theory; the Self-Directed Search is a viable means of assessing…

A typology was used to organize Census data about people's aspirations, and the results of vocational assessments made with and without norms for men and women at two educational levels. Results indicate that kinds of employment differ for educational levels and between the sexes. (Author)

The psychological meaning and predictive value of a person's vocational aspirations were examined by applying Holland's typology to the vocational aspirations of high school juniors (N=140), and a second sample of college students studied over a one-year interval (N-624). (Author)