This article celebrates the 50th anniversary of the introduction of John L. Holland's (1959) theory of vocational personalities and work environments by describing the theory's development and evolution, its instrumentation, and its current status. Hallmarks of Holland's theory are its empirical testability and its user-friendliness. By…

This study examined gender differences in relationships among vocational skills, motivational approaches, and same-gender and cross-gender interests for urban adolescents. Results showed gender differences in interests, with males having greater Realistic interests and females having greater Artistic and Social interests, based on Holland's (1997)…

The study used the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and the NEO-FFI to explore profile elevation, four secondary constructs, and the Big Five personality factors in a sample of college students in a career course. Regression model results showed that openness, conscientiousness, differentiation high-low, differentiation Iachan, and consistency accounted…

Developed criteria for selection of career development program appropriate for mentally ill. Mentally ill persons who participated in Self-Directed Search (SDS) showed significant change on My Vocational Situation Identity Scale. Findings support selection of SDS as program and feasibility of offering career development services to mentally ill.…

Effects of career interventions on vocational construct differentiation and integration were tested with 121 undergraduates in 4 groups: Vocational Card Sort (n=31), Self-Directed Search (n=28), System of Interactive Guidance and Information Plus (n=31), and controls (n=31). All three interventions had a substantial impact on vocational cognitive…

The Self Directed Search was recently revised (Form R) after two tests: a version with 70 new items was administered to 701 people to identify good and bad items, and 2,600 students and adults completed the final Form R. The Occupations Finder was revised, and a technical manual and professional user's guide were created. (SK)

Tested whether scores on the Self Directed Search relate to career development needs in a study of 138 college students. Findings showed the scores related differentially in ways predicted by Holland (1973) and supported probing whether college students earning low investigative scores were behind in their career development. (JAC)

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the Self-Directed Search: Computer Version (SDS:CV) in a university career center's service delivery and research activities. Data were collected from a sample of 180 clients over a 16-month period, using the information provided in the professional summary report of the SDS:CV. Social and…

Use of the Self-Directed Search: Computer Version Form R (SDS) with 180 clients (62% women and 38% men, between the ages of 18 and 23) in a college career center is described, with implications for counseling services and research. (Author/KW)

Career status measures, goals for participating in career intervention, and ego strength were related to six outcomes of the administration of the Self-Directed Search. Most change occurred for females high on vocational identity; most satisfaction with the SDS and job choice was attained by those low in indecision. (Author)

Computed four derivatives of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) and correlated them with other indices of career maturity for 138 community college students. Accuracy in estimating one's SDS profile correlated significantly with five other maturity indices, but the other derivatives tended not to relate to other career maturity criteria. (JAC)

Investigates: (1) the ability of the Canadian Occupational Interest Inventory (COII) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) to discriminate among Grade 12 students; (2) inter-scale correlations of these measures; and (3) relationships between the student groups' interest patterns and external reference points. Findings indicate the scales discriminate…

This special issue includes the following: "Introduction"; "Interest Inventories: Which One, Why, and for Whom?"; "Recent Reports from the Committee to Screen Career Guidance Instruments"; "Assessment of Career Specialty Interests in Business and Medicine"; "Using Career Interest Inventories with…