Personality, motivation, and Holland type in a private-practice sample

Abstract

Variations in personality and motivational patterns among Holland types were investigated. Motive was measured by the Motivational Analysis Test (MAT), personality by the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), and Holland type was derived from scores on the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) or the California Occupational Preference System (COPS). The results of these tests were obtained from a private-practice data base including 206 clients seeking career counseling or therapy. It was expected that certain levels of personality factors and motivational patterns would be characteristic of persons in the various Holland types. The results suggest that motivational patterns tend to be more similar across Holland types, whereas analyses of variance found significant variability between the Holland types on the personality factors extraversion, practicality, and independence. Interpretations were offered and theoretical implications discussed.