A Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behavior and Development PDF
Preview A Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behavior and Development
A Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behavior and Development A Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behavior and Development Fred W. Vondracek The Pennsylvania State University Donald H. Ford The Pennsylvania State University and Erik J. Porfeli Northeast Ohio Medical University A C.I.P. record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN: 978-94-6209-660-8 (paperback) ISBN: 978-94-6209-661-5 (hardback) ISBN: 978-94-6209-662-2 (e-book) Published by: Sense Publishers, P.O. Box 21858, 3001 AW Rotterdam, The Netherlands https://www.sensepublishers.com/ Printed on acid-free paper All Rights Reserved © 2014 Sense Publishers No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface xi List of Tables xiii List of Figures xv 1. T he Case for Integrative Theorizing in Vocational Behavior and Development 1 Current Status of Vocational Psychology 2 Conceptual and Definitional Issues 3 H istorical Perspective on the Evolution of Career Development Theories 5 Trends Toward Integrative Theorizing 7 A Strategy for Creating an Integrative Theoretical Model 10 Concepts 1 Proceses 14 Reframing the Task 15 The Person, Environment, and Fit 16 The Principle of Unitary Functioning 17 Personal Agency and Self-Regulation 18 C ognitive Guidance of Behavior Pattern Construction and Functioning 19 Affect and Emotion 19 P references, Capabilities and Skills (i.e., Interests, Aptitudes and Abilities) 20 2. Theoretical Foundation: The Living Systems Framework (LSF) 23 Person Patterns as the Basic Unit 24 T he LSF Propositional Model: Processes Producing Integrated Dynamic Functioning and Change 26 General System Dynamics 28 Directive Functions 28 Regulatory and Evaluative Functions 28 Activity Organizing and Energizing Functions 29 Implementing Context Transactions 29 Monitoring Activity Patterns 29 v TABLE OF CONTENTS Feedforward Processes 29 Feedback Processes 29 Examples of System Dynamics Functioning 29 Humans as Developmental Systems 30 Four Human Self-Construction Processes 31 Self-Direction 31 Self-Organization 31 Self-Achievement 31 Self-Regulation 31 T hree Propositions of the Developmental Model Concerning How Change Occurs 32 C hange and Development Always Starts with What Exists 32 Only You Can Change Yourself 32 E fforts to Change an Existing Pattern Will Not Begin Until That Pattern is Somehow Disrupted 32 T he LSF Conceptual Model: Person and Context Components and Patterns 33 Person Attributes and Patterns 33 The Biological Aspect 36 The Psychological Aspect 37 The Transactional Aspect 39 Environment and Context Attributes and Patterns 39 Natural Environments and Contexts 41 Designed Environments and Contexts 41 Human Interpersonal Environments and Contexts 41 Socio-Cultural Environments and Contexts 41 Humans as Self-Constructing Living Systems 42 B ehavior Episodes (BE): The Basic Unit for Creating and Understanding Developmental Pathways 42 Evaluative Processes and Learning from Behavior Episodes 44 I nstrumental, Observational, and Thinking Behavior Episodes 45 B ehavior Episode Schema (BES): Using Past Experience to Guide Current Behavior 46 T he Dynamics of Stability, Change and Development in Humans 48 Nonlinear Dynamics and Complexity 48 S tability and Change Occur Through Behavior Episode Dynamics 49 Goal Setting as a Means of Self-Disruption 51 vi TABLE OF CONTENTS How Thinking, Remembering and Communication Work 51 Words are the Servants of Meanings 52 Memories are Constructions Rather than Recordings 53 Where are Memories When They are Not in Use? 53 Where are Action Patterns When They are Not Being Used? 54 3. A Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behavior and Development 55 T he Nature and History of Vocational Behavior and Development 55 T he Person-in-Context as a Hierarchically Organized, Integrated Unit 58 T he Personal and Social Importance of Individuals’ Vocational Behavior and Development 59 Development of Vocational Pathways 60 D eveloping Activity Pathways Through BES Construction from Similar Behavior Episodes 61 T he Role of Motivational Processes in the Development of Vocational Pathways 63 Self-Direction and Goal Setting Processes 64 A Taxonomy of Personal Goals 65 The Strength of Motivation 66 Self-Regulation And Evaluative Personal Agency Beliefs 67 Self-Regulation Through Affective and Emotion Patterns 69 N on-Motivational Implementation Processes and Vocational Pathway Development 70 Self-Construction Through Control Processes 70 Self-Construction Through Transactional Processes 72 D eveloping Successful and Rewarding Vocational and Career Pathways Through Effective Person-in-Context Functioning 73 A chievement and Competence in the Development of Vocational Pathways 73 B ehavior Episode Activity Pathways Develop into Vocational Pathways 75 S ue: How Shared Friendships Can Lead to New Activity Patterns 76 O wen: Behavior Episode Patterns Must Serve Personal Goals to Develop Into Vocational Pathways 77 A lex: Behavior Episodes in Potential Occupations Help Shape Vocational Development Decisions 78 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS A n Analysis of How These Examples Meet the Four Vocational Pathway Criteria 79 Satisfying Work Activities and Contexts 79 Satisfactory Income 79 Availability of Employment Opportunities 79 Opportunity to Become Knowledgeable, Skilled and Effective 79 Conclusions 80 4. A pplying the LSVD to Facilitate Vocational Behavior and Development 81 A n Example of Vocational Counseling Processes: The Case of TED 82 A Prototypical First Session: Initiating the Counseling Relationship 82 A Typical Session 90 A Long-Term Follow-Up 92 Postscript to Ted’s Case 94 Examples of Developmental Processes in Ted’s Activity Patterns 94 Change Techniques and Processes Employed in Ted’s Case 95 General Counseling Principles Derived from the LSVD 97 The Collaborative Relationship 98 W orking with Adolescents and Young Adults Who are New to the World of Work 99 Clarification of Goals 99 G oal Specification, Evaluation, and Implementation Processes 100 Working with Adults 101 Changing Established Career Pathways 102 Summary 102 5. Methodological Considerations 105 Focus on the Individual: Two Illustrative Examples 107 E xamining Intraindividual Variability in Work Values Using P-Technique Factor Analysis 108 E xamining Individuals’ Career Patterns Across Domain-Relevant Variables Using Cluster Analysis 109 C onceptual and Methodological Issues in Studying Intraindividual Variability and Change Processes 111 Methodological Advances 115 Time Series Analysis 116 viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Multivariate Time Series Analysis/Dynamic Factor Analysis 118 M ixed Methods: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods 119 T ypes of Studies for Which Mixed Methods are Appropriate 120 Types of Mixed Method Designs 121 Using Behavior Episodes to Study Career Competence 122 Context/Environment Assessment 122 Assessment of Resources that Could Aid Goal Achievement 123 6. Epilogue 125 References 127 Index 135 ix
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