Theory: Theory of Work Adjusment/Person – Environment Correspondence (PEC)

Theorist/Proponent: Rene V. Dawis (1928) Lloyd H. Lofquist (1917)

Concept Definition
Person-Environment-Correspondence theory Used to be referred to as Theory of Work
Adjustment
describes job satisfaction and tenure as the
result of correspondence between the worker
and his or her work environment on 2
dimensions: "Satisfaction" and
"Satisfactoriness"
Work Adjustment The process of achieving and maintaining
correspondence with a work environment
Four Adjustment styles
Flexibility tolerance for discorrespondence, from low to
high
Activeness adjusting by effecting change in the other
(active adjustment)
Reactiveness adjusting by effecting change in self (reactive
adjustment)
Perseverance duration of adjustment behavior, from short
to long
Work adjustments modes
Active Mode attempts to change the work environment
Reactive Mode attempts to make changes in themselves
Satisfaction employee's contentment with work
environment, refers to clients who are more
self-fulfilled-oriented
Satisfactoriness the employer's satisfaction with an individual's
job performance
Correspondence the mutual responsiveness of an individual
and environment
Discorrespondence When either person or environment (or both) is
not satisfied or is dissatisfied with the
response of the other
Essence
Individuals seek to achieve and maintain a positive relationship with their work environments.
Individuals bring their own requirements to a work environment, and the work environment
makes its requirements of individuals. To survive, individuals and work environments must
achieve some degree of Congruence (Correspondence). Optimal vocational outcomes occur
when (a) the individual’s abilities match the skills required for success in the occupation and (b)
the individual’s needs are satisfied by the occupation.