Welcome

Advanced Organizer

• Read the chapter first

• Have access to the supplemental materials in Blackboard

Theory Basics

• Explains/predicts behavior

• Plan interventions

• Evaluating theory

• Parsimony, clear hypotheses, generates research

• See handout “Evaluating Theories” in Blackboard

Trait/Factor Theories

Parsons/Williamson

Holland’s RIASEC Theory

Person-Environment Correspondence Theory

Brown’s Values Theory

Cognitive Information Processing Theory

Parsons’ Theory: Three components to career

choice

True Reasoning

KnowledgeAboutSelf

KnowledgeAbout

Options

Williamson:Types of Career Problems

1. Uncertainty

2. No choice

3. Discrepancy between interests and abilities

4. Unwise

Williamson’s 6 Stages

1. Analysis (data)

2. Synthesis (strengths/weaknesses)

3. Diagnosis (problem/cause)

4. Prognosis (chance of success?)

5. Counseling

6. Follow-Up

Which Type? How Would you Counsel?

Andy is very interested in being an accountant. However, he keeps failing the CPA exam, even after hiring multiple tutors.

Carol has changed her major 6 times, doesn’t want to make a “bad” choice again so is delaying until summer to choose.

Ben is having difficulty narrowing down his career options.

Ellen wants to be a doctor because “they make a lot of $, everyone respects you, and it will make my parents so proud.”

Options:Uncertain

Discrepancy

No choiceUnwise

Which Type? How Would you Counsel?

Andy is very interested in being an accountant. However, he keeps failing the CPA exam, even after hiring multiple tutors.

Carol has changed her major 6 times, doesn’t want to make a “bad” choice again so is delaying until summer to choose.

Ben is having difficulty narrowing down his career options.

Ellen wants to be a doctor because “they make a lot of $, everyone respects you, and it will make my parents so proud.” Unwise

Uncertain

No choice

Discrepancy

Holland’s RIASEC theory

RIASEC THEORYRealistic Investigative

Artistic

SocialEnterprising

Conventional

Basic Assumptions:

1. 6 types of personalities2. 6 types of “environments”3. We seek for environments that

will allow us to express our main personality.

4. Behavior is predictable.• Consistency, congruency

Person-Environment Correspondence (PEC)

Theory

• Dawis and Lofquist

• P-E interaction

• Basic idea: I must meet work demands, work must meet my demands

13

Consider...

13

A job I loved A job I hatedWhat aspects did you love?

What aspects did you hate or not care for?

Employer reinforcers? Employer reinforcers?

PEC MODELIndividual

Needs Abilities

Potential Occupational Reinforcers(working conditions)

Job Requirements

Dissatisfaction Satisfaction SatisfactorinessNot

Satisfactory

????? ??????

PEC MODELIndividual

Needs Abilities

Potential Occupational Reinforcers(working conditions)

Job Requirements

Dissatisfaction Satisfaction SatisfactorinessNot

Satisfactory

TENURED FIREDQUIT

Brown’s Value Based Theory

• Most important element in career choice?

• Crystallization• Can you label it?• Apply it to behavior?

• Culture based• Individual values and

employer values may differ

Cognitive Information ProcessingCognitive Information ProcessingPyramid of Information Processing Pyramid of Information Processing

DomainsDomains(Understanding What’s Involved in A Career Choice)(Understanding What’s Involved in A Career Choice)

Executive Processing

Domain

Knowledge Domains

Decision-Making Skills Domain

SelfKnowledg

e

Occupational

Knowledge

CASVE Cycle

Meta-cognition

s

CASVE CycleCommunicationCommunication

Identifying theIdentifying theproblem - the gapproblem - the gap

AnalysisAnalysisThinking about Thinking about

alternativesalternatives

ExecutionExecutionTaking action toTaking action to narrow the gap narrow the gap

SynthesisSynthesisGenerating likelyGenerating likely

alternatives alternatives

ValuingValuingPrioritizingPrioritizingalternativesalternatives

Readiness Model ComplexityComplexity (high) (high)

__________ readiness readiness ____________________ readinessreadiness

______________ readiness readiness ________________readinessreadiness

(low)(low)

Capability (low) (high)

Readiness Model ComplexityComplexity (high) (high)

LowLow readiness readiness ModerateModerate readinessreadiness

ModerateModerate readiness readiness HighHigh readiness readiness

(low)(low)

Capability (low) (high)

Summary

• T/F theories are helpful for making a current career decision

• Most are well-researched and continue to generate research

• Very useful for career planning, goal setting, next steps