Are RIASEC Interests Traits? Evidence Based on Self–Other Agreement

Abstract

Two studies examined the conceptualization of career interests as traits using self–other agreement data. Study 1 participants were 114 college student–friend dyads, and Study 2 participants were 93 student–parent dyads. In each study, students provided interest (using Holland’s realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional [RIASEC] dimensions) and personality (using the Big Five factors) self-ratings, and friends/parents completed parallel measures on which they rated the students. Self–other agreement for interests was similar in magnitude to that for personality, providing support for a trait conceptualization. Student–parent dyads were in closer agreement regarding realistic than investigative or conventional interests, but among friends the degree of agreement across RIASEC interest dimensions did not differ. The magnitude of agreement between friends was comparable to that of student–parent dyads, but whereas one index of agreement between student–parent dyads was associated with students’ vocational identity, agreement with friends was unrelated to vocational identity. Implications for theory, intervention, and research are presented.