Brown Chapter 5

Considering Brown Chapter 5

In chapter 5, Brown (2016) continues his discussion of career development theories by presenting learning theory-based and socioeconomic theories.  First, he presents Krumboltz’s Theory of Happenstance and Decision Making.  The theory is rooted in Bandura’s learning theory of associative learning and self-efficacy and outcome expectation (Brown, 2016, p. 88).  Krumboltz proposes four factors of influence to individual and career development.  First, there are inherited characteristics that can either be facilitative or restrictive influences on one’s individual and future career development.  Second, cultural and sociological factors also influence the career decision process by either providing or limiting opportunities (Brown, 2016, p. 88).  Third, previous learning experiences serves as a model or a paired association that influences career development.  Fourth, task approach skills include performance standards and values that influence career development and include work habits, and perceptual and cognitive processes (i.e. coding, rehearsing, attending, selecting, etc.) (Brown, 2016, p. 89).  Overall, I enjoy the user-friendly approach of this model.  Further, I appreciate that Krumboltz utilized Bandura’s social learning theory as the foundation for his career development theory.  Finally, I enjoyed the inclusion and integration of biological, cultural and sociological, learning theory, and cognitive processes.

Brown (2016) also presents the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) whose theoretical principles were founded on Bandura’s sociocognitive theory.  SCCT is a model describing how career interests develop over time.  Brown (2016) presented the SCCT model in an easy to understand graphical format that illustrates the interaction between self-efficacy and outcome expectations on interests, goals for activity involvement, activity selection and practice, and performance outcomes (Brown, 2016, p. 92).  Unlike Krumboltz’s Theory of Happenstance and Decision Making, SCCT also takes into account the individual aspects of the person, such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, and genetically determined characteristics (Brown, 2016, p. 91).  

                                                          Reference

Brown, D.  (2016).  Career information, career counseling and career development, 11^th ed.  Pearson:              New York.