Carrier Development Theories Questions
Theories of Career Development I Chapter 2 Trait-Oriented Theories The trait-oriented theories include: Trait and Factor Theory Person-Environment-Correspondence Counseling John Holland’s Typology Trait & Factor Theory Dev’t by Parsons (1909) who had a 3-step model: Believed in measuring an individual’s traits, surveying jobs, and then matching the two. Promoted the psychometric movement Williamson (1939) expanded Parson’s theory (analysis, synthesis, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling and follow-up) Assumptions: There is a single career goal for everyone & focuses on measured abilities. Person-EnvironmentCorrespondence Theory Dev’t by Dawis & Lofquist (1990) A.k.a the theory of work adjustment (personality style) Assumes that individuals seek to achieve & maintain a positive relationship with their work environment. To survive, the individual and work environment must achieve some congruence. Introduced occupational reinforcers. John Holland (1992) Focused on the congruence between one’s personality with preferences (modal personal style). Developed 6 personal styles (i.e. Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional), which lead to the SelfDirected Search. Has empirical support Social Learning and Cognitive Theories consists of: Krumboltz’s learning Theory Cognitive Information Processing Perspective The Social Cognitive Perspective Krumboltz’s Learning Theory (1975) Based on social learning theory Career development is believed to be based on four factors: genetics, environment, learning experience and task approach skills Has limited research. Introduced the Happenstance Approach Theory which states that chance events can have both positive and negative consequences Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) Developed by Peterson, Sampson & Reardon (1991) Focuses on how an individual makes career decisions & use info. In career problem solving & decision making. Believes in providing the client with learning events Uses a sequential procedure for counseling (CASVE-pg 46) Social Cognitive Career Theory Developed by Lent, Brown & Hackett (1996) Focuses on self-efficacy, social beliefs and expectations. Coined the term personal agency (reflects how and why individuals exert power to either achieve a solution or adapt to career changes) & triadic reciprocal (the person, the environment & the overt behavior) which affects an individuals development. Also developed several models (pg 49 and50) Developmental Theories Proposed by Super (1972) and Gottfredson (1981) Donald Super (1972) Had a multiple approach to career development. Focused on self-concept. Also developed stages (pg 54) & tasks which individuals cycle and recycle through; completions of tasks lead to vocational maturity Developed the archway & rainbow model (pg 57 and 59) Limited research. Gottfredson (1981) Describes how individuals become attracted to certain occupations. SES and IQ greatly influence individual’s self-concept. Images of occupations, cognitive maps, social space, circumscription and compromise are all key concepts of this theory (pg 63 & 64) Has empirical support. Person in Environment Perspective An ecological system theory which provides a detailed analysis of ongoing environmental influences over a life span Posits that people develop in changing historical contexts and in socio-cultural interactions and relationships Views ALL aspects of the individual (i.e. microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem) Constructivism Supports the belief that individuals define themselves as they participate in events and relationships in their environment Each individual develops personal constructs, in which his or her views of the world differ from others, which continue to be modified over the life span. The client is an active participant in his or her career development Savikas (2292) used Super’s theory to highlight this model A Contextual Explanation Based on constructivism (individuals construct their own way of organizing info & that truth or reality is a matter of perception). Understanding how clients construct personal meaning from present actions & subsequent experiences is the core of this theory. Actions are viewed from 3 perspectives: the manifested behavior, their internal processes, and their social meaning. The relationship between the individual’s unique characteristics and environment is the trigger to determining if there is a goodness of fit. Career Counseling Today & Its Historical Development Chapter 1 Six Stages of Development Stage One (1890-1919): Placement services introduced Stage Two (1920-1939): Growth of educational guidance Stage Three (1940-1959): Training of counselors Stage Four (1960-1979): Work recognized as a major life role Stage Five (1980-1989): Technology and private practices developed Stage Six (1990-present): Introduction of multicultural counseling & school-to-work programs Major Events Rise of industrialiam Frank Parson establishes a three-step career decision making model The first National Conference on Vocational Guidance took place The NOICC was created The mental measurement movement grew Basic Issues to Consider The case for the individual Career Life perspective Career Choice Working in the 21st century Lifelong Learning Counseling a culturally diverse society Globalization & Economic Restructuring Effective use of career information Integrating Career & Personal Counseling Definitions to know Career Career development Career counseling Career guidance Career intervention …








Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson



