Vocational Psychology is a concept that emerged in the early twentieth century at the time of industrialization (Vocational Psychology - Career Development - IResearchNet, 2017). It is a specialty within applied psychology, and uses ‘the application of psychological principles to the problems of vocational choice, behaviour, selection and training’ (Definition of VOCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2017). Vocational behaviour is the nature of how and why individuals choose and adjust to occupations (Munley, 1975). Based on this concept of vocational behaviour Munley (1975), sort to look at it through the life span development theory of Eric Erikson. Erikson's theory states, an individual goes through eight developmental stages, in each of which he must face and cope with a central psychosocial problem or crisis (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2008). The eight crises outlined by Erikson are: trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus identity confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and ego integrity versus despair (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2008). Munley (1975) in his article Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and vocational behavior, looked at both concepts set out to explore the relationship between Psychosocial development and vocational behaviour and development. One of the findings showed that individuals who adjusted to vocational choices showed a higher level of
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development was the first theory that demonstrated the development from “womb-to-tomb.” His theory posited three tenets, the first that each era in life had a developmental crisis, and that at each period there was the opportunity for growth and development. Each developmental stage poses a developmental crisis that is central to that age, and as stated in Erikson’s second tenet, if there is an interruption in the development of one of the stages, the stages following will be effected. Though each developmental stage has one fundamental stage that is being worked on, Erikson’s third tenet states that the challenges of all of the other stages are still present; although there is one crisis that is
Erikson believed that people develop in psychosocial stages. He emphasized developmental change throughout the human life span. In Erikson's theory, eight stages of development result as we go through the life span. Each stage consists of a crisis that must be faced. According to Erikson, this crisis is not a catastrophe but a turning point. The more an individual resolves the crises successfully, the healthier development will be.
Eric Erikson was one of the most famous theorists of the twentieth century; he created many theories. One of the most talked about theories is his theory of psychosocial development. This is a theory that describes stages in which an individual should pass as they are going through life. His theory includes nine stages all together. The original theory only included eight stages but Erikson‘s wife found a ninth stage and published it after his death. The nine stages include: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. identity confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair, and hope and faith vs. despair (Crandell and Crandell,
The second theory examined is Erik Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development. Each stage in Erikson’s theory involves a conflict/crisis that a person must work through to evolve their personality. Rosenthal (1981) explains that, “Each stage arises because a new dimension of social interaction
One of the main reasons vocational education would be a good aspect to bring into the Public School system is that it would bring the importance and purpose of doing well in school back into students’ minds who are struggling in their four years of high school. When asked her opinion on vocational education a student responded positively saying, “Kids actually have fun taking these courses, and we’re not as worried about our grades because [what we are learning about is] so interesting and we want to learn about it”
The Life-span, life-space theory has a focus on self concept. It is believed that career development is a continuous, life long process. Vocational self concept develops through physical and mental growth, observations of work, identification with working adults, general environment, and general
During the interview, Stashia presented issues of career changed frequently as she diverted from majoring in one career path to another. She divulged in the interview that she had once listened to others and not decided on her own path. She reported changing her major, considered doing things differently if she could, and not having taken any vocational assessments that would have helped her. The writer will conceptualize interviewees barriers with theories of career counseling.
The following essay will use a lifespan perspective to discuss how major transitions can influence both occupational and personal development. Using occupation as a coping strategy during stressful transitions will also be explored. The narrative discussed was derived from an informal, semi-structured interview. Occupational development will explore how the meanings associated with occupations can change and how this can be reflective of their current life-stage. The essay will begin with an outline of the precautions taken to maintain the interviewee’s confidentiality. This will be followed by a brief explanation of the lifespan and occupational models that will be used throughout the essay. A summary of the interviewee’s narrative will then be provided. This will be expanded upon by using lifespan theories.
There comes a time in life where individuals have to leave school to join the world of work whereby they will work their way up to the top. This is where career development comes into place. Career development is defined as progress through various stages in a career (Schreuder & Coetzee,2011). These are stages one goes through in order to mature in a career and for development to even exist, one has to start with making a career choice then developing it .A career choice can be defined as the relation between people’s personality types and their different occupational environment in which they work in.
Levinson named five developmental tasks for young adults. These are pursuing a dream, creating relationships, developing an occupational career, forming a marriage and family and building responsibility in the larger community (Burns, 2005). These developmental tasks are interdependent on each other and achieving one affects the possibilities of accomplishing the other four. The development of a career will help in achieving other tasks as the young adult attains a means with which she/he can support the family. The career may help in achieving the dream which
Though a generally overlooked and unappreciated field of work, career counseling has made significant impact in the field of psychology. Frank Parsons’ 1906 lecture, “The Ideal City,” emphasizes the need for young people to receive assistance in choosing a vocation (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013). Further, Parsons was one of the pioneers in linking personality traits to vocational success, thus coining him as the father of vocational guidance (Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2013).
This research paper will summarize “Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choice”; followed by a practical application of the theory to this Author’s life. Other than the textbook for this class; one other resource cited in the reference section was used to make the following concise summation of Holland’s Theory.
For many people, finding a career that is both fulfilling and practical is a strenuous task. Fortunately, there is a plethora of different interventions, techniques, assessments, and inventories designed to aid those individuals in making the wisest career choices possible. But are any of those routes inherently better than the others? Or are all the differing options separate but equally effective? Donald Super’s Life Span Theory and John Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choice are just two of the many theories used for career counseling. Both methods are distinct in the way they approach career issues, yet despite their differences, there are some resemblances between the two theories as well. Comparing and contrasting these two theories will make it easier to see if one theory is better than the other for career counseling or if they are both equally effective.
Gysbers (2003) proposes that the value of career theories comes from providing practitioners with a framework to examine client behaviour, help understand the possible meanings of or explanations for the behaviour and subsequently, enables them to identify and respond to clients’ goals or problems. Significantly then, such theories may help explain an individual’s vocational behaviour, such as their initial career choice or later aspects of career development. This essay attempts to identify the theoretical framework that will underpin my guidance practice in the future.
Life-Span Theories. Trait and factor theories tend to deal with career issues at one point in time, whereas life-span theories take a long-term, developmental perspective (ibid.). The most widely known life-span theory is Super’s Theory of Vocational Choice, which suggests that individuals pass through stages of vocational development involving developmental tasks at each stage; it also considers the performance of multiple roles and their interaction across the life-span (Stitt-Gohdes 1997). However, some studies have shown that the life stages Super outlined are not exactly applicable to women, especially as their roles have changed in the last few decades (Sharf 1997). Super considered self-concept and vocational maturity to be important