Congruence Theory (Holland)
John Holland's theory that career satisfaction and stability depend on the match between your personality type and your work environment's type. Congruence predicts satisfaction (r=0.28).
Holland's congruence theory states: people seek environments that match their personality, and person-environment fit predicts satisfaction, performance, and persistence.
Congruence is measured by comparing your RIASEC code to the job's code. Perfect congruence (both are Investigative) has the highest satisfaction. Large incongruence (your RIASEC: AIE, job's code: RCE) has the lowest satisfaction — even with high pay.
This explains why some high-paying jobs feel empty: they don't match your interests. A high-paying Corporate Law job (Enterprising environment) will feel soul-crushing for an Investigative-Artistic person, regardless of salary.
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