Career Development Theories Flashcards

Which theoretical framework uses the concept of 'work personality' and 'work competencies' as central constructs for vocational evaluation?

Answer: Work adjustment theory (Dawis & Lofquist)

The Theory of Work Adjustment by Dawis and Lofquist uses work personality (needs and values) and work competencies (abilities) as its core constructs.

A vocational evaluator notes that a client's 'satisfactoriness' is high but 'satisfaction' is low. According to TWA, what is the most likely outcome?

Answer: The client is likely to voluntarily quit

In TWA, low satisfaction (unmet needs) predicts voluntary turnover (quitting), while low satisfactoriness (unmet ability requirements) predicts involuntary separation.

Holland's hexagonal model places Realistic and Social types directly opposite each other. What does this spatial arrangement signify?

Answer: They have the lowest degree of psychological similarity

In Holland's hexagon, types positioned opposite each other have the least psychological similarity, making R-S pairings the most dissimilar.

Which measure is derived from Holland's theory to indicate how closely a person's top three RIASEC codes match the three-letter occupational code?

Answer: Congruence index

The congruence index (e.g., Zener-Schnuelle or Iachan index) measures how well a person's personality type matches the occupational environment type.

According to Bandura, which source of self-efficacy information is generally considered the MOST powerful?

Answer: Enactive mastery experiences (performance accomplishments)

Enactive mastery experiences—actually performing tasks successfully—are the most influential source of self-efficacy information because they provide direct evidence of capability.

The 'maintenance' stage in Super's life-span model is characterized by which primary developmental task?

Answer: Preserving gains and updating skills to keep pace with work changes

The maintenance stage (roughly ages 45-65) focuses on holding one's occupational position and adapting to new developments in the field.

Which of the following BEST captures the key difference between Parsons' original trait-and-factor approach and modern person-environment fit theories?

Answer: Parsons used a static one-time match; modern theories incorporate development and change over time

Parsons' framework was a static, one-time matching process, while modern P-E fit theories recognize that both persons and environments change and interact dynamically.