Career Development Theories

Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Click Here To Order Now!

Theory: Social Learning Theory

Key concepts

One of the key concepts of social learning theory is the concept of modeling. This works through the observation of behavioral patterns and making conclusions based on these observations (Learning Theory of Careers Choice & Counseling n. d.). There are three different types of modeling; they are live model, verbal instruction, and symbolic modeling. Another important concept for this theory is reciprocal determinism.

Key theorists

Albert Bandura.

Appropriate populations for the theory

All of the populations are appropriate for this theory, social learning is essential for each member of society. The process of social learning of the behaviors continues through people’s lifetime.

Inappropriate populations for the theory

The individuals inappropriate for the application of social learning theory are the individuals that happened to be isolated from life in the society and interactions with other people. At the same time, even children that grew up with wild animals have certain skills of social behavior.

Therapist’s role

The therapist must be able to notice, point out, and analyze behavioral patterns in order to find their roots, reasons, and possible outcomes. The therapist helps the clients rationalize their own behaviors and choices, which makes the clients capable of cognitive changes within their own habits, beliefs, and mentality.

Client’s role

The client has to be able to observe their own behaviors objectively and learn about the side views of their own behaviors.

Theory strengths

The theory is multifunctional and can be applied in such spheres as criminology, management, developmental psychology, and psychotherapy for adults and children.

Theory limitations

The theory works only within the individuals’ interactions with other people and the behaviors created, enforced, and influenced by society.

Key terms

Reciprocal determinism is a mutual influence between the individual’s behavior and society.

Theory: Career Information Processing Model

Key concepts

Career information processing model includes career decision making and problem-solving (CIP Theory of Career Development n. d.).The theory mainly relies on knowledge and skills. The theory works through the building of the process of decision making on the basis of knowledge of oneself and the knowledge of the situation. The career information processing model is based on cognitive therapy.

Key Theorists

Aaron Beck.

Appropriate populations for the theory

The individuals this theory can be applied to are all employed people. Workers of all kinds face difficulties with career decision making and have to solve various problems considering their working process and further professional development.

Inappropriate populations for the theory

The people that this theory is not suitable for are the members of the society that are too young for employment or people that do not work for various reasons.

Therapist’s role

The therapist has to be prepared to help the clients manage their problems with career decision making and assist with finding solutions for the workplace problems individuals may face due to various personal or professional circumstances.

Client’s role

The client is to pay attention to their own personal behaviors and analyze emotions objectively in order to find motivation, inspiration, and alternatives. The duty of a client is the application of critical thinking towards their own problem.

Theory strengths

The theory is designed to help the individuals manage their issues at the workplace, choose appropriate ways of career development, solve the personal problems and conflicts with other employees.

Theory limitations

The theory only works within the issues people face at the workplace and does not include personal counseling and help with family problems, intimate relationships, or other spheres of people’s lives that are not included in the sphere of the career.

Key terms

Cognitive therapy explores the connections between the individuals’ thoughts, behaviors, and feelings.

Theory: Solution Focused

Key Concepts

Solution focused approach is a goal-oriented kind of therapy. It does not focus on the problem; it works through the concept of preferred future for the client. The therapy includes several kinds of questions such as miracle questions, scaling questions, exceptions seeking questions, coping questions and problem free talk. The therapy explores the concept of constant and inevitable change (Solution Focused Therapy 2010).

Key Theorists

Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg.

Appropriate populations

The clients that are looking for quick solutions and are ready to brain-storm their own issues are the most appropriate for the solution-based approach. The solution based therapy works through isolating for the problem and focusing on the desired goal, this is why the individuals undergoing this therapy need to be open-minded.

Inappropriate populations

The individuals that need a long therapy exploring their problem are not suitable for this approach.

Therapist’s role

The therapist should build the approach based on special questions emphasizing the aspects that are changeable, the opportunities and ways out of the problem. The therapist’s duty is to focus on the future, rather than on the past experiences of the client.

Client’s role

The client needs to be able to think independently of the problem and avoid getting sucked into the crisis. The client’s main role is to employ their abilities to rationally isolate their thinking from the issue.

Theory strengths

Solution focused approach allows finding quick solutions and seeing alternative perspectives on the client’s life. It is applicable to wide variety of problems and situations.

Theory limitation

The theory is short term; it is not expected to last very long. The theory is suitable only for certain type of clients that are able and willing to withdraw themselves from their issues.

Key terms

Miracle question – “the problems are gone”. Coping questions – looking for the client’s abilities and opportunities. Problem-free talk – discussion of non-problematic aspects of the client’s life.

Theory: Career Counseling

Key concepts: Career counseling is focused on helping the individuals develop skills that allow them solve their workplace and career issues more effectively (Burwell & Chen 2006). The theory works through the concepts of self-knowledge and recognition, the demands of the workplace and professional skills.

Key theorists

Frank Parsons

Appropriate populations

The career counseling clients are normally people that are facing issues at the workplace or are having trouble with the career development. Of course, these are the employed people. Adult unemployed people are also appropriate for the career counseling because they are facing a crisis of changing careers.

Inappropriate populations

Children and students are inappropriate for the career counseling.

Therapist’s role

The therapists is to apply their professional skills in order to find out the roots of the client’s issue and then help them seek for the best solution. Often the clients require quick solutions; this is why career counseling is sometimes done with the help of the solution focused therapy.

Client’s role

The client has to be ready to apply critical approach to their issue, rationalize the problem and also demonstrate alternative thinking applying hypothetical outcomes.

Theory strengths

The theory is applicable to multiple kinds of workplaces and allows solving various problems considering both private and professional issues of the workers. Theory is designed for finding quick solutions in cases when the clients have to react to their situations immediately.

Theory limitations

The theory is only applied to the issues individuals face at their workplaces and it is not expected to help solving personal problems, love life crises and family conflicts. The theory cannot be applied for children.

Key terms

Self-knowledge – awareness of own emotional state, mental abilities, reactions and situations.

Reference List

Burwell, R. & C. P. Chen (2006). Applying the Principles and Techniques of Solutions Focused Therapy to Career Counseling. Counseling Psychology Quarterly 19(2), 189-203.

CIP Theory of Career Development (n. d.). The Career Center. Web.

Learning Theory of Careers Choice & Counseling (n. d.). National Guidance research Forum. Web.

(2010). Getselfhelp. Web.

Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Click Here To Order Now!