Performance and satisfaction as a function of individual-environment fit.

Abstract

Research is reviewed which treats performance and satisfaction as a function of the interaction between the characteristics of the individual and those of the interpersonal and noninterpersonal environments. Relevant theoretical positions are reviewed. Alternative models for the analysis of interactions or transactions between individuals and environments are discussed. The conclusion points to and discusses 3 questions: Should one consider the perceived or actual environment? What units shall we employ and should they be the same units of analysis for individuals and environments? What is the nature of the processes involved in individual-en vironment relationships? This paper is concerned with the question of individual-en vironment fit. It assumes that for each individual there are environments (interpersonal and noninterpersonal) which more or less the characteristics of his personality. A match or best-fit (Jahoda, 1961) of individual to environment is viewed as expressing itself in high performance, satisfaction, and little stress in the system whereas a lack of is viewed as resulting in decreased performance, dissatisfaction, and stress in the system. This paper presents selected studies in the experimental literature which exemplify and support the individual-environment fit approach, and discusses the theoretical models that have been suggested in relation to this view and the issues remaining to be considered. It is beyond the scope of this paper to deal with the concept of the stimulus in psychology (Gibson, 1960) or with related theories of perception (Allport, 1955). For the purposes of this paper, environmental (situational) variables are defined as representing those stimuli external to the organism which affect its behavior. Within the framework of this paper, it is assumed that individuals vary in their sensitivity to different stimuli and in the nature of their responses to these stimuli. Behavior is represented as a function of the interaction or transaction between the individ1 This review was conducted in conjunction with research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (MH-08321) and the United States Office of Education. I am grateful to Stephen Klineberg, Bertram Koslin, and David Rosenhan for their critical readings of the manuscript. ual and his environment. The issue of whether to define the environment independently of the individual or in relation to the individual is relevant to the research reviewed and is discussed later. PERFORMANCE The research reviewed in this section treats performance as a function of the interaction between the characteristics of the individual and those of the environment. While it is often difficult to make a distinction between the interpersonal environment and the noninterpersonal environment, the studies are defined and discussed in relation to these two categories.