1. Social-Cognitive Career Theory
PSY 714
Spring 2007
Instructor: Emily E. Bullock, Ph.D.

2. Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT)
SSCT attempts to provide explanation of how people…
Develop vocational interests
Make and remake occupational choices
Achieve varying levels of career success and stability

3. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Self Efficacy Beliefs
Outcome Expectations
Personal Goals

4. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Three models of SCCT:
Interest model
Choice model
Performance model

5. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Interest Model
Interest develops when people…
View themselves as competent in the activity
(self efficacy)
Anticipate that performing it will produce valued outcomes (outcome expectations)
Development of interest increases the likelihood of goal development (personal goals) and practice
Role of abilities and values
Role of personal variables

6. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Choice Model
Goals motivate efforts to implement a goal (choice actions) which are followed by a pattern of performance success and failures
Likelihood of interest translating into goals and goals to actions is effected by…
Level of environmental support
Barriers in relation to their preferred career path

7. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Performance Model
Assumption: competent performers will be persist and be allowed to persist by the environment
Performance is the interplay of ability, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and performance goals

8. SSCT: Considering Practice
Interventions based in the sources of Self-efficacy
Career information fosters more realistic outcome expectations
Assessment results are “snapshots” at a point in time

9. SSCT: Considering Practice
Expanding Choice Options
Coping with Barriers and Building Supports
Goal Setting and implementation
Increasing work satisfaction
Facilitating work performance

10. SSCT: Considering Practice
How would SCCT explain or work with the following issues?
Your client has never engaged in a particular career-related activity
Your client has never heard of someone like them that does a particular job
Evaluating SCCT
How is it different and/or similar to other theories?
How might you see using SCCT in your work with client?