title: Finding a Fit or Developing It: Implicit Theories About Achieving Passion for Work.
abstract: "Passion for work" has become a widespread phrase in popular discourse. Two contradictory lay perspectives have emerged on how passion for work is attained, which we distill into the fit and develop implicit theories. Fit theorists believe that passion for work is achieved through finding the right fit with a line of work; develop theorists believe that passion is cultivated over time. Four studies examined the expectations, priorities, and outcomes that characterize these implicit theories. Our results show that these beliefs elicit different motivational patterns, but both can facilitate vocational well-being and success. This research extends implicit theory scholarship to the work domain and provides a framework that can fruitfully inform career advising, life coaching, mentorship, and employment policies.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA patchen@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Phoebe C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ellsworth
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011582:Psychological Theory; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: beliefs; implicit theories; passion; vocation; work