Personality tests can tell a counselor and individual a lot about what they are going through in life, sometimes with no prior knowledge, and can often help guide a person through making personal choices for themselves in the future. Two of these evaluations are the Holland test and the Marcia evaluation. The Holland test divides people into six different personality types, and provides a list of careers and hobbies that suit that personality type. The Marcia evaluation can help a person to understand if they are going through a crisis period in which their old ways of thinking or living are being challenged, or a commitment period, a part of their lives when they have accepted the changes or not, and are committing either to the change or to staying the same.
In the Marcia scenario, there are four different identities that can be explored when advising a student (Ross, 2013). Diffusion is the identity in which a kid or teenager is still unaware of the independence that’s coming right around the corner for them. They don’t yet know they have choices to make for themselves, the choices have been made for them. My niece is thirteen years old, and is still in this category, though she is developing a sense of making a few of her own decisions. She will probably be in a stage of commitment within the next year.
The foreclosure identity is not a crisis or commitment identity though the kid may be starting to form their own opinions. They still follow the status quo, and go with their friend’s or family’s decisions. They are conformers. My family raises our children to think for themselves after the age of sixteen. They can choose a religion to follow, can start dating, and generally just learn from outside consequences. This is probably why every member of the immediate and far removed family members all have college educations.
The Moratorium identity is a kid experiencing a crisis in which they have to start thinking about making their own choices seriously. They are still not quite ready to make any commitments. My mother fits into this category often. She has a hard time pulling the trigger on making choices. Sometimes, this ends up being very detrimental to her. Finally, there is the achievement identity, and this describes just about everyone else in my family, often regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity; we are a very value driven family that credits each other and friends for being able to decide on their own values and beliefs (Oswalt, 2010).
Holland created a test in which the results of one person will add up to one or more of six personality types. These can be helpful in college (Smart, 2006). The first personality type is the doer, or realistic type. These people act on their own, think for themselves and are very rational. They are good in the sciences and construction fields, and sample majors include chemistry, physical therapy and agriculture. The second personality type are the thinkers or investigators, and includes people who are inquisitive rational and logical. They are the problem solvers, and possible majors/careers for them include being a professor, a surgeon, or lawyer.
The third personality type are the artistic people or the Creators They rely on their imagination, innovation, and creativity. Careers like writing, fashion design and public relations. The fourth type of personality are the helpers or social people. These people are kind, patient, and helpful. Careers that this type of person enjoys include counseling, fitness training and customer service. The next personality type is the Enterprising or persuasive type. This person is enthusiastic, motivational and willing to take risks, possible careers include Broadcast Journalism, Clergy and fundraising for an NPO. The final type are people who are conventional and enjoy organizing. These people follow the rules, are conservative, and accurate. Careers include accounting, economists, and technical writing (Meier, 2009).
References
Meier, JD. (2009). “6 Job Personality and Work Environment Types.” Sourcesoflight.com.
Retrieved from http://sourcesofinsight.com/6-personality-and-work-environment-types/
Oswalt, A. (2010). “James Marcia and Self-Identity.” Mentalhelp.net. Retrieved from
https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/james-marcia-and-self-identity/
Ross, K. (2013). “Applying Career and Identity Development Theories in Advising.”
Washington State University. Retrieved from https://www.nacada.ksu.edu
/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Applying-Career-
and-Identity-Development-Theories-in-Advising.aspx
Smart, JC. (2006). “Holland’s Theory and Patterns of College Student Success.” National
Postsecondary Education Cooperative. Retrieved from
http://nces.ed.gov/npec/pdf/smart_team_report.pdf
