Super’s Theory: A Life-Span, Life-Space Approach to Careers PSY 313 Instructor: Emily E. Bullock, Ph.D.
Super’s Vocational Theory History of Super’s work Career Pattern Study (1985) Coming of Age in Middletown: Careers in the Making Unique in espousing a developmental perspective in viewing occupational choice 14 propositions serve as assumptions of the theory
Super’s theory Life Space: The social situation in which an individual lives Life Span: life stages such as childhood which are linked to career stages Life Career Rainbow
Super’s Career-Life Rainbow http://www2.careers.govt.nz/5232.html
Super’s Rainbow
Super’s Theory Life Span Career Stages Growth: (4-13yrs) Exploration: (14-24yrs) crystallizing , specifying, and implementing an occupational choice Establishment (25-44yrs) stabilizing, consolidating, and advancing in a position Maintenance (45-65yrs) holding on, keeping up, and innovating Disengagement (over 65 yrs) deceleration, retirement planning, and retirement living
Super’s Theory Career maturity and career adaptability Proponent of adding a measure of values to career batteries Self-concept system Criticized for focusing on the majority population
Super’s Theory: Practical Applications Assessment’s 4 Phases: Career Development Assessment and Counseling Life structure and work role salience Career development status and resources Vocational identity Occupational self–concepts and life themes
Super’s Theory: Practical Applications Integration of data and interpretation of results The Counseling Process Interview is the prime means of directly fostering growth and exploratory experiences Advocates the use of “generic counseling processes” based on the needs of the client Cyclical Counseling-composed of directive and nondirective approaches
Theory of Career Construction Updates and advances Super’s Theory Considered more applicable to a multicultural society and a global economy Based on the idea that we each construct representations of reality Career development is due to the adaptation to the environment rather than internal maturation Career development occurs through an active process of meaning making rather than a discovery of preexisting facts
Theory of Career Construction 3 Main Components of the Theory Vocational Personality Type Career Adaptability Life Theme
Theory of Career Construction: Career Adaptability How one constructs a career; individual’s readiness and resources for coping with current and imminent vocational development tasks, occupational transitions, and personal traumas Career Maturity 4 dimensions of response readiness and coping resources Concern Control Curiosity Confidence
Theory of Career Construction: Life Themes Why of vocational behavior in a way that is highly unique to each individual “consists of a problem or a set of problems which a person wishes to solve above everything else and the means that the person finds to achieve a solution” Mattering
Evaluating Super’s Theory How might you use Super’s Theory & Career Construction Theory with clients? How does these theories compare with others we have studied?