This article discusses the disconnect between industrial-organizational (I-O) and vocational psychology in the context of Donald Paterson's career, an applied psychologist who bridged both disciplines. Paterson's interests in "both" vocational guidance and personnel selection suggest that these fields are interwoven, despite the prevailing gap…

Relates Holland's theory of vocational choice and congruence between personality and work environment to Cass's model of lesbian/gay identity development. Suggests that Holland's congruence and Cass's interpersonal congruence concepts need to be considered in career counseling with lesbian/gay clients. (SK)

Commends Pervin's review of the common roots of various current conceptualizations of person-environment relations, agreeing that a dynamic, process-oriented model is needed, but criticizing Pervin's conceptualization as too person centered, not emphasizing the embeddedness of person-environment relations within environments, and not citing…

Increased turbulence in the workplace is affecting the careers of an aging workforce: changed skill needs, relations with employers and coworkers, and attitudes toward retirement and aging. Study of careers beyond midlife should bear in mind that retirement is an individual decision and the aging process is unique to the individual. (SK)

Of five approaches to studying older workers (chronological/legal, functional, psychosocial, organizational, and life span), the life-span approach accommodates individual differences in career patterns. Middle-age and older adult workers need to be considered as individuals in terms of career choices and employment policies. (SK)

Most tests of congruence in Holland's theory are flawed because they are cross-sectional, use samples of persons already in congruent environments, classify environment casually, fail to relate congruence to relevant aspects of work environments, and have not assessed environment accurately. The centrality of congruence makes the improvement of…

Speculates about the outcomes of person-environment research and suggests how more successful research might be planned. Focuses on congruence effects and the value of meta-analysis. Suggests careful use of theory; attention to both environmental and personal assessment; identification of potent personal, environmental, and theoretical variables;…