Gottfredson's theory of the career compromise process was evaluated using a longitudinal data set of 2,353 female and 321 male students recruited for Zuckerman's Seven College Study, who reported their career aspirations twice over a 1-year period. Expressed career aspirations were coded on the dimensions of sex type, prestige, and the interest-based Things/People and Data/Ideas dimensions. Stability of aspirations over an 1-year period were analyzed using partial correlation analyses to control for the nonindependence of measures. Discrepancies between current and idealized career aspirations were also examined using the same methods. Contrary to predictions based on Gottfredson's theory, student career aspirations were more stable along the prestige and Things/People dimensions than on the sex type dimension. Implications for theory, research, and career counseling practice are discussed.

products. Occupations that Artistic individuals often prefer are interior decorator, writer, or actor. Holland (1997) describes the personality of the Artistic type as expressive, open, original, intuitive, liberal, nonconforming, introspective, independent, and disorderly. Social. Individuals in the Social type prefer activities that entail the manipulation of others to inform, train, develop, cure, or enlighten. These preferences tend to lead to human relations competencies and a preference for occupations such as teaching and counseling. Social individuals want to serve and be helpful to others in situations such as medical support, institutional service, or reciprocal interaction. Holland (1997) describes the Social personality type as being helpful, responsible, empathetic, understanding, friendly, and generous. Enterprising. Individuals of the Enterprising type prefer activities that entail manipulation of others to attain organizational goals or economic gain. These preferences lead them to acquire leadership, interpersonal, and persuasive skills. Managers and sales personnel are examples of typical Enterprising occupations. Holland (1997) describes the personality of the Enterprising type as somewhat aggressive, popular, self-confident, sociable, and possessing leadership and speaking abilities. They may view problems in terms of social influence, and apply their specific skills to problem solving. Conventional. Individuals in the Conventional type tend to prefer activities that entail the explicit, ordered, systematic manipulation of data. Examples of this can be keeping records and filing materials. Conventional individuals are often in occupations such as bookkeeper or banker. When solving problems a Conventional individual is likely to use established rules, practices, and procedures. Holland (1997) also uses the adjectives 9 inflexible, persistent, methodical, obedient, efficient, and unimaginative to describe the Conventional personality type. Holland (1997) noted that people tend to resemble more than one, and often, all, of the types to some degree. Therefore, an individual's vocational personality is a combination of several of the types. The pattern of each individual's types is called a sub-type, and is described by the first letter of each type in the order of magnitude for that person. More frequently, a "Holland code" composed of the highest three letters of the type code is used in assessment and intervention. In addition to people being characterized by combinations of the different types, the other main component of Holland's (1997) theory is the tenet that work environments can also be described on the basis of the six types, determined by the personalities of the people working in them and by the types of work activities in which people in those work environments typically engage in. Work environments can also be described in terms of summary codes, allowing for the study and comparison of people or groups with specific environments. RIASEC Concurrent and Incremental Validity While some...

Gottfredson's (1981) developmental theory of career choices was evaluated using longitudinal data. This study builds on previous research into Gottfredson's model by addressing methodological issues in the confounding of sex type, prestige, and interest measures when measuring expressed career choices by statistically controlling for the interrelations among these variables in the analyses. Participants were 2,353 women enrolled at the Seven College Conference Schools and 321 men enrolled at Harvard and Vassar. Expressed career preferences were coded for sex type, prestige, and the Things/People and Data/Ideas interest dimension. Stability of expressed career choices over a one year period and discrepancies between current career choices and idealized aspirations were analyzed using partial correlation analyses to control for the nonindependence of the constructs. Gottfredson's (1981) theory was not supported for either men or women, because prestige and the Things/People dimension of interest were found to be more stable than sex type. Implications for re-conceptualizing Gottfredson's theory are discussed, along with implications for research and practice.