John Krumboltz: Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making; Learning Theory of Career Counseling; Planned Happenstance Theory

J. Krumboltz developed the following three theories:

Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making (1979)

Four factors influence how people choose their career paths:

1. Genetic endowment and special abilities: innate abilities and physical characteristics
2. Environmental conditions and events: nature, technology, society, economy, or culture
3. Learning experiences: instrumental and associative learning
4. Task approach skills: how people approach the completion of tasks (emotional responses, work habits, personal standards of performance)

The interaction of the factors listed above lead people to develop self-observation generalizations (assessing oneself) and world-view generalizations (assessing one's environment and making predictions about the future).  These factors and generalizations prompt people's behaviors, which then lead to careers.

Learning Theory of Career Counseling (1979, 1990)

A development of the Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making (described above), applying the theory to career counseling.  Counselors use the theory to help clients make more accurate self-observation generalizations and worldview generalizations, learn new task approach skills, and take appropriate career-related actions.

• People should expand their capabilities and interests, rather than base decisions on existing characteristics only
• People should prepare for changing work tasks, rather than static occupations
• People should feel empowered to take action, rather than receive a diagnosis
• Career counselors should help clients deal with all career problems, not only occupational selection

Planned Happenstance Theory (Mitchell, Levin, and Krumboltz, 1999)

The idea that people can prepare for and create opportunities for unexpected events that lead to career selection and success.  Career counselors should help clients develop curiosity, persistence, flexibility, optimism, and risk-taking.  Exploring one’s options, interests, and abilities generates opportunities for improving one’s quality of life, and developing necessary skills allows one to seize opportunities when they arise.

Indecision vs. Open-mindedness: Indecision implies that the client is paralyzed and unable to able to make a choice, whereas open-mindedness implies that the client is willing to explore interests and career paths that they may not have considered otherwise.

Restrictiveness of congruence: Do not allow congruence to be a barrier to a client seeking a certain occupation.

https://www.grinnell.edu/sites/default/files/documents/Krumboltz.pdf