The RIASEC Game: Matching

Famous Personalities to Holland’s

Types

Authors

Kevin Glavin, Ph.D., PC

kg585@nova.edu

Pia Smal
ps617@nova.edu

Jessica Gonzalez
Jg1124@nova.edu

Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale FL

 Instructions
1. Provide students/clients with a brief overview of John Holland’s theory of
vocational choice and personality types
2. Explain several core constructs related to Holland’s theory:
1. Most people can be categorized as resembling one of 6 types (RIASEC)
2. Most work environments can be categorized using the same typology (RIASEC)
3. Explain Holland’s construct of congruence, which suggests that individuals will
seek work environments that are congruent with their personality types.
4. Explain the idea that congruence is likely to lead to greater work satisfaction
3. Describe each of the RIASEC types
4. Arrange individuals into groups of 4-6.
5. Open the PowerPoint Exercise for the RIASEC Game
6. Give groups an appropriate amount of time (approximately 10 minutes) to
determine the PRIMARY type of each individual, i.e. R, I, A, S, E or C.
7. Discussion: Have groups discuss why they choose to match a particular
person to a RIASEC type.
 R I A
Realistic Investigative Artistic J.K Rowling Condoleezza Mother Ter
Rice esa

S E C
Social Enterprising Conventional Mia Ham Fawn Hall Dr. Mae C.
Jemison
 R I A
Realistic Investigative Artistic Carl Rogers Stephen Haw Barack Ob
king ama

S E C
Social Enterprising Conventional Kanye Wes Kevin Malon LeBron Ja
t e mes
 For Instructor
RIASEC Types Defined
• Realistic individuals prefer to work with their hands and generally
avoid social activities. They value concrete things that you can see
and touch, to be outside, and they describe themselves as practical
(i.e. mechanics, farmers, etc.).

• Investigative individuals have an aptitude for math and science.

They enjoy problem solving and prefer to work with ideas rather than
people (i.e. researchers).

• Artistic individuals have artistic ability and value the creative arts.
They avoid repetitive activities in which they cannot express their
imagination (i.e. musicians, actors, etc.).

Holland (1997)
 For Instructor
RIASEC Types Defined
• Social individuals have strong interpersonal skills and value
relationships. They enjoy helping others and avoid using machines
or tools (i.e. teachers, counselors, etc.).
•
• Enterprising individuals are skilled speakers that seek out
leadership roles. They enjoy persuading people and selling ideas.
They prefer to work with other people (i.e. sales people, politicians,
etc.).
•
• Conventional individuals are very orderly/organized. They would
rather work with numbers and words as opposed to other people
(accountants, clerical workers, etc.).

Holland (1997)
 References
Gottfredson, G. D., & Holland, J. L. (1996). Dictionary of Holland occupational codes (3rd
ed.).Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

Holland, J. L. (2000). Self-Directed Search occupations finder. Odessa, FL: Psychological

Assessment Resources.

Holland, J. L. (1997). Making vocational choices 3rd ed. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment
Resources, Inc.

Holland, J. L., Fritzsche, B. A., & Powell, A. B. (1997). Self-Directed Search technical manual.
Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

Holland, J. L., Powell, A. B., & Fritzsche, B. A. (1997). Self-Directed Search professional user’s
guide. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

Holland, J. L. (1994). The Self-Directed Search. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources,
Inc.

Rayman, J. R. (1998). Interpreting Ellenore Flood's Self-Directed Search. Career Development

Quarterly, 46, 330-338.