Name That Theory
This theory is best known for six personality/environment types represented by the letters RIASEC.
What is Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choice?
In SCCT, “I don't think I can successfully do that” reflects a problem with this belief.
What is self-efficacy?
Holland:
“How clearly defined is this person's interest profile?” versus “How well does this person fit the work environment?”
Name the two constructs.
What are differentiation and congruence?
Maya loves investigative work and scores high on Investigative interests, but she works in a highly social, sales-oriented environment and is miserable. Which theory immediately directs your attention to the fit between Maya and her environment?
What is Holland?
Bond + agreement on goals + agreement on tasks = this important counseling relationship construct.
What is the working alliance?
This theory views career development as implementing one’s self-concept across the lifespan and across multiple life roles.
What is Super’s Life-Span, Life-Space Theory?
In Career Construction Theory, these four adaptability resources are Concern, Control, Curiosity, and Confidence.
What are the 4 C’s / career adaptability resources?
SCCT:
“I believe I can do it” versus “I believe doing it will lead to something I value.”
What are self-efficacy and outcome expectations?
Devon has become increasingly dissatisfied at work and has repeatedly tried to change the work environment rather than changing himself or leaving. Which TWA adjustment style should you be thinking about?
What is activeness?
Put these Super stages in order: Maintenance, Growth, Disengagement, Establishment, Exploration.
What is Growth → Exploration → Establishment → Maintenance → Disengagement?
Self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, and goals are central to this theory.
What is Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT)?
In Gottfredson's theory, this is the process through which people progressively eliminate occupations they perceive as unacceptable.
What is circumscription?
Gottfredson:
“I ruled that occupation out as unacceptable” versus “I wanted it, but constraints led me to settle for something else.”
What are circumscription and compromise?
A client says, “I've wanted to become a physician assistant for years, and I think I could handle the program—but my family keeps telling me people from our community don't belong in medicine.” What SCCT factor deserves particular attention?
What are contextual barriers?
This perspective challenges the belief that we must eliminate uncertainty before making a career decision and instead encourages openness while moving forward.
What is Positive Uncertainty?
This theory asks us to consider both whether workers meet the requirements of an environment and whether the environment satisfies workers’ needs.
What is the Theory of Work Adjustment (TWA)?
In TWA, this term describes the employer/environment's judgment that the worker's abilities adequately meet the job's requirements.
What is satisfactoriness?
TWA:
“The job gives me what I need” versus “My employer thinks I'm doing what the job requires.”
What are satisfaction and satisfactoriness?
A client repeatedly tells stories about being the person who steps in when others feel lost. A counselor becomes interested in how that recurring story connects past experiences with possible future work. Which Career Construction concept is the counselor exploring?
What is a life theme?
This approach says unexpected events don't merely happen to careers—we can behave in ways that increase our chances of encountering and taking advantage of opportunities.
What is Planned Happenstance?
Rather than assuming everyone has equal freedom to “choose a career,” this theory foregrounds economic constraints, marginalization, work volition, and access to decent work.
What is Psychology of Working Theory (PWT)?
In Career Construction Theory, recurring patterns that connect experiences and help a person make sense of career direction are called these.
What are life themes?
Emerging Theories:
“This work feels worthwhile and significant” versus “I experience this work as a personal mission connected to something larger than myself.”
What are meaningful work and a calling?
A single parent enjoys her job but has no health insurance, unpredictable scheduling, unsafe working conditions, and insufficient wages. Which theory would tell us that “Does she like the occupation?” is not enough to understand her work experience?
What is Psychology of Working Theory (PWT)?
A counselor asks a client to complete a work-values card sort and discusses the results to better understand what the client needs from a job. Is this primarily assessment or intervention, and why?
What is assessment?