Topic 3, Theory of Career Development

Discuss the following theories

Krumboltz's theory of social learning.

Learning takes place through observations as well as through direct experiences.

Simplifying the process of career selection; based primarily on life events
influential in determining career selection.

He also believes certain characteristics are inherited and not merely learned, for
eg someone may have a talent or liking for numbers and are very good with
them, or someone can be naturally artistic. These individuals who posses these
natural talents are more inclined to be responsive to teaching and learning
these.

Krumboltz’s social learning theory presents a model that emphasizes a behavioral

orientation with some cognitive components. This theory stresses the importance
of genetic influences, environmental conditions, leanring experiences, and task
approach skills.

There are 4 factoes that influence career development:

i) Genetic Influences

These are inherited or innate traits and not learned. Example physical
appearance as to how someone looks, height, skin color, hair color, shape of
eyes), or someone who is more prone to falling ill. Even posessing natural talents,
in arts, mathematics or writing, which makes this person to be who will respond
well to learning and teaching.

ii) Environmental Conditions and Events

Factors of influence that are often beyond the individual’s control. Certain events
and circumstances influence skills development, activities, and career
preferences. These are and can be influenced by social conditions, parents and
caretakers, peer groups, structured educational settings and occupational
conditions.

iii) Learning exepriences

Instrumental learning experiences and associative learning

experiences. Negative and positive reactions to pairs of previously neutral
situations. (Task approach skills, sets of skills the individual has developed, such as
problem-solving skills, work habits, etc)

iv) Client cognitive and behavioral skills

How one apply their prior learning experience and innate abilities has an effect
on career choice and other career related issues. One will make an observation
about oneself and the environment and make career related choices.

Counselor Behavioral strategies

- there are 4 procedures that follow
i) Reinforcement eg: a person is appreciated for a certain action which will then
ensure more of that action in future.
ii)Role model - by being a role model, or providing a role model for the client to
emulate and follow.
iii) Role playing - is to provide clients learn a new behavior, or knowledge
iv)Simulation - to get clients to experience in a new learning for eg, getting them
to do or learn a new activity.

Cognitive Strategies for Counseling

Mitchell and Krumboltz suggested several strategies for changing inaccurate

thoughts and generalizations regarding career issues. They made an interesting
point that although some beliefs may be not correct some will be unimportant
and now worth changing.

Methods for assessing and changing inaccurate beliefs and generalizations

i) Goal clarification – In order for one to learn skills its crucial for the goals
to be clear. The counselor will then have t make the goals explocot for
the client to agree on the issues to be explored, the choices to be
made and the skills to be learned.
ii) Counter a troublesome belief – Client has a belief that is not accurate.
For eg, to be a teacher you need to know everything and be highly
intelligent. This illustrates an inaccurate assumption, the counselor then
need to ask the evidence for this belief.
iii) Look for inconsistencies between words and actions – client may say
something and do something else.
iv) Cognitive rehearsal – counselor need to get client to replace negative
beleifs and replace with a new and positive one. Eg I am not smart
enough, can be replaced with I will be able to do it if I learn about it
and gain further knowledge.

What distinguishes Krumboltz’s social learning therory from other theories is the
emphasis on learning. The goal of the counseling is to facilitate learning of skills,
interests, beliefs, values, work habits and personal qualities. This theory recognizes
the importance of chance events in people’s lives. In the happenstance learning
theory 5 skills are helpful in dealing with chance career opportunities which are
curiosity, persistence, flexibility, optimism and risk taking.