1. Core Concepts of a Cognitive Information Processing Approach to Career Development and Services Gary W. Peterson, James P. Sampson, Jr., Robert C. Reardon, & Janet G. Lenz Florida State University Copyright 2002 by Gary W. Peterson, James P. Sampson, Jr., Robert C. Reardon, and Janet G. Lenz All Rights Reserved

2. Goals Service cost-effectivenessService cost-effectiveness Present career choicesPresent career choices Future career choicesFuture career choices

3. Definitions Problem - a gap between the existing and the ideal Problem Solving - choosing how to remove the gap Decision making - transform the choice into action

4. Nature of Career Problems Ambiguous CuesComplex and Ambiguous Cues Interdependent Courses of Action Uncertainty of the Outcome Solutions Present New Problems

5. Individual Needs Individuals vary in circumstances and needsIndividuals vary in circumstances and needs

6. Translating Theory to Practice Easy to understand concepts that describe fully Common language for clients and practitioners

7. Translating Theory to Practice Pyramid concept - what is involved in career choice (The content; “Knowing”) CASVE cycle - how to make career choices (The process; “Doing”) Use to monitor and evaluate progress

8. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains

9. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains Decision-Making Skills Domain

10. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Executive Processing Domain Knowledge Domains Decision-Making Skills Domain

11. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains

12. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains Self Knowledge

13. Self-Knowledge Values, interests, skills, and employment preferences are influenced byValues, interests, skills, and employment preferences are influenced by –Personal characteristics –Life experience Values, interests, skills, and employment preferences may be influenced byValues, interests, skills, and employment preferences may be influenced by –Religious or spiritual beliefs

14. Self-Knowledge Stored in episodic memoryStored in episodic memory Perceptions rather than factsPerceptions rather than facts Influenced by interpretation of past eventsInfluenced by interpretation of past events Influenced by present emotionsInfluenced by present emotions

15. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains Self Knowledge Occupational Knowledge

16. Also known as “options knowledge”Also known as “options knowledge” Knowledge of specific optionsKnowledge of specific options –Direct experience or observing others –Expands over time Schema for organizing the world-of-workSchema for organizing the world-of-work –Example - the Holland Hexagon

17. Occupational Knowledge Stored in semantic memoryStored in semantic memory Verifiable facts rather than perceptionsVerifiable facts rather than perceptions Not influenced by interpretation of past eventsNot influenced by interpretation of past events Not influenced by present emotionsNot influenced by present emotions

18. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowledge Domains Decision-Making Skills Domain Self Knowledge Occupational Knowledge CASVE Cycle

19. Decision-Making Skills Domain Generic information processing skills that individuals use to solve important problems and make decisionsGeneric information processing skills that individuals use to solve important problems and make decisions The CASVE cycle is one modelThe CASVE cycle is one model Other models existOther models exist How do I usually make important decisions?How do I usually make important decisions?

20. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Executive Processing Domain Knowledge Domains Decision-Making Skills Domain Self Knowledge Occupational Knowledge CASVE Cycle Meta- cognitions

21. Executive Processing Domain MetacognitionsMetacognitions –Self-talk –Self-awareness –Monitoring and control

22. Executive Processing Domain Influence of self-talk on: –decision-making skills –occupational knowledge –self-knowledge

23. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Executive Processing Domain Knowledge Domains Decision-Making Skills Domain Self Knowledge Occupational Knowledge CASVE Cycle Meta- cognitions

24. Pyramid of Information Processing Domains Knowing about myself Knowing about my options Knowing how I make decisions Thinking about my decision making Client Version

25. The CASVE Cycle Understanding - “How to make a career choice”

26. CASVE Cycle C AE SV

27. C ommunication A nalysis E xecution S ynthesis V aluing

28. CASVE Cycle Communication Identifying the problem - the gap Analysis Thinking about alternatives Execution Taking action to narrow the gap Synthesis Generating likely alternatives Valuing Prioritizing alternatives

29. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

30. Communication Becoming aware of the gapBecoming aware of the gap Discomfort becomes greater than fear of changeDiscomfort becomes greater than fear of change Assistance sought when resources are inadequateAssistance sought when resources are inadequate

31. Communication External cuesExternal cues –Positive or negative events –Input from significant others Internal cuesInternal cues –Negative emotions –Avoidance behavior –Physiological cues

32. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

33. Analysis Clarify self-knowledgeClarify self-knowledge Enhance options knowledgeEnhance options knowledge Understand how important decisions are typically madeUnderstand how important decisions are typically made Understand how thinking influences choicesUnderstand how thinking influences choices A recurring process of learning, reflection, and developing a more complex view of themselves and their optionsA recurring process of learning, reflection, and developing a more complex view of themselves and their options All people have some information at the start of this processAll people have some information at the start of this process

34. Analysis Clarify self-knowledgeClarify self-knowledge –What are their values, interests, skills and employment preferences? –What have people learned from their past experience, their family, assessments, or information?

35. Analysis Enhance options knowledgeEnhance options knowledge –What do individuals know about the options they are considering? –Do individuals have an effective schema for the world-of-work? –Relate self-knowledge with options knowledge to better understand personal characteristics in relation to options being considered

36. Analysis Understanding how important decisions are typically madeUnderstanding how important decisions are typically made

37. Analysis Understanding how positive and negative thinking influences career choicesUnderstanding how positive and negative thinking influences career choices –Self-awareness of how thoughts influence feelings and behavior in career problem solving

38. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

39. Synthesis Avoid missing alternatives, while not becoming overwhelmed with options

40. Synthesis ElaborationElaboration –Expand possible options –Provided by career assessments and computer- assisted career guidance systems CrystallizationCrystallization –Use information to narrow potential options by eliminating inappropriate options –3-5 options are best for proceeding on to Valuing

41. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

42. Valuing A decision made to narrow the gap identified in the Communication phase

43. Valuing Judge the costs and benefits of each option toJudge the costs and benefits of each option to –Oneself –Significant others (friends and/or family) –Cultural group –Community and/or society at large

44. Valuing Prioritize alternativesPrioritize alternatives Make tentative primary and secondary choicesMake tentative primary and secondary choices

45. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

46. Execution Establish and commit to a plan of action for implementing a tentative choiceEstablish and commit to a plan of action for implementing a tentative choice

47. Execution Selecting a preparation programSelecting a preparation program –Planning a program of study –Exploring financial aid options –Completing education or training –If training or education is not needed, job search begins

48. Execution Create a plan for reality testingCreate a plan for reality testing –Full-time work –Part-time work –Volunteer work experience –Taking courses or training Seek employmentSeek employment –Identify, apply for, and get a job

49. CASVE Cycle Communication AnalysisExecution SynthesisValuing

50. Communication Review external demands and internal states Has the gap been closed? Have the negative emotions and physiological states improved? Am I taking action to achieve my goal?

51. CASVE Cycle - Client Version Knowing I Need to Make a Choice Knowing I Made a Good Choice Understanding Myself and My Options Implementing My Choice Expanding and Narrowing My List of Options Choosing An Occupation, Program of Study, or Job

52. Use of Other Career Theories Use CIP as an organizing theoryUse CIP as an organizing theory Add other theories to meet specific needsAdd other theories to meet specific needs Example - Holland HexagonExample - Holland Hexagon

53. Potential Misconceptions About CIP CIP is mostly concerned with cognitionCIP is mostly concerned with cognition –Emotions may be just as important as cognitions in decision making –Negative self-talk can lead to depression and anxiety –Emotions are an important source of information about problem solving –Positive emotions should be reinforced

54. Potential Misconceptions About CIP In CIP rationality and logic are valued over intuitionIn CIP rationality and logic are valued over intuition –Intuition is a different way of knowing –Intuition includes cognitions outside of our immediate consciousness –Intuitive insights are as important as rational insights –Almost everyone uses both rationality and intuition –Rationality and intuition are complementary –Perceived discrepancies between rationality and intuition signals that more problem solving is needed

55. For Additional Information www.career.fsu.edu/techcenter/ Thank You