Refining fit: Conceptual and methodological challenges

In some respects the development of research on person-environment fit has paralleled that of other methods and constructs in psychology such as psychotherapy and social support. Initial efforts have focused on basic questions such as: “Does psychotherapy work?; What are the correlates of social support?; and Is fit good for you?” However, as research has accumulated, it becomes clear that the initial questions raised were too simple (Gottlieb, 1981; Kiesler, 1971). Like psychotherapy and social support, some kinds of fit may be good for some people, in some places, some of the time, and in some ways. The challenge for researchers in the area is the development of models and methods that capture more fully the richness of the transaction between person and environment.