The central life interests (CLI) of male industrial workers is shown to be related to their self-described personality characteristics. Workers who have a CLI in work have personality characteristics that accord with general expectations about what kinds of people may best fit the requirements of an industrial setting. Workers who have a CLI in nonwork settings have personality characteristics that may be described as non-fitting with an industrial environment. Individuals with no preference in CLI are viewed as searching for an anchor for their interests with the potential of finding it in the work institution. The implications of these findings are discussed. (Author)