Theory: Social Learning Theory
Key concepts
One of the key concepts of social learning theory is the concept of modeling. This works through the observation of behavioral patterns and making conclusions based on these observations (Learning Theory of Careers Choice & Counseling n. d.). There are three different types of modeling; they are live model, verbal instruction, and symbolic modeling. Another important concept for this theory is reciprocal determinism.
Key theorists
Albert Bandura.
Appropriate populations for the theory
All of the populations are appropriate for this theory, social learning is essential for each member of society. The process of social learning of the behaviors continues through people’s lifetime.
Inappropriate populations for the theory
The individuals inappropriate for the application of social learning theory are the individuals that happened to be isolated from life in the society and interactions with other people. At the same time, even children that grew up with wild animals have certain skills of social behavior.
Therapist’s role
The therapist must be able to notice, point out, and analyze behavioral patterns in order to find their roots, reasons, and possible outcomes. The therapist helps the clients rationalize their own behaviors and choices, which makes the clients capable of cognitive changes within their own habits, beliefs, and mentality.
Client’s role
The client has to be able to observe their own behaviors objectively and learn about the side views of their own behaviors.
Theory strengths
The theory is multifunctional and can be applied in such spheres as criminology, management, developmental psychology, and psychotherapy for adults and children.
Theory limitations
The theory works only within the individuals’ interactions with other people and the behaviors created, enforced, and influenced by society.
Key terms
Reciprocal determinism is a mutual influence between the individual’s behavior and society.
Theory: Career Information Processing Model
Key concepts
Career information processing model includes career decision making and problem-solving (CIP Theory of Career Development n. d.).The theory mainly relies on knowledge and skills. The theory works through the building of the process of decision making on the basis of knowledge of oneself and the knowledge of the situation. The career information processing model is based on cognitive therapy.
Key Theorists
Aaron Beck.
Appropriate populations for the theory
The individuals this theory can be applied to are all employed people. Workers of all kinds face difficulties with career decision making and have to solve various problems considering their working process and further professional development.
Inappropriate populations for the theory
The people that this theory is not suitable for are the members of the society that are too young for employment or people that do not work for various reasons.
Therapist’s role
The therapist has to be prepared to help the clients manage their problems with career decision making and assist with finding solutions for the workplace problems individuals may face due to various personal or professional circumstances.
Client’s role
The client is to pay attention to their own personal behaviors and analyze emotions objectively in order to find motivation, inspiration, and alternatives. The duty of a client is the application of critical thinking towards their own problem.
Theory strengths
The theory is designed to help the individuals manage their issues at the workplace, choose appropriate ways of career development, solve the personal problems and conflicts with other employees.
Theory limitations
The theory only works within the issues people face at the workplace and does not include personal counseling and help with family problems, intimate relationships, or other spheres of people’s lives that are not included in the sphere of the career.
Key terms
Cognitive therapy explores the connections between the individuals’ thoughts, behaviors, and feelings.
Theory: Solution Focused
Key Concepts
Solution focused approach is a goal-oriented kind of therapy. It does not focus on the problem; it works through the concept of preferred future for the client. The therapy includes several kinds of questions such as miracle questions, scaling questions, exceptions seeking questions, coping questions and problem free talk. The therapy explores the concept of constant and inevitable change (Solution Focused Therapy 2010).
Key Theorists
Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg.
Appropriate populations
The clients that are looking for quick solutions and are ready to brain-storm their own issues are the most appropriate for the solution-based approach. The solution based therapy works through isolating for the problem and focusing on the desired goal, this is why the individuals undergoing this therapy need to be open-minded.
Inappropriate populations
The individuals that need a long therapy exploring their problem are not suitable for this approach.
Therapist’s role
The therapist should build the approach based on special questions emphasizing the aspects that are changeable, the opportunities and ways out of the problem. The therapist’s duty is to focus on the future, rather than on the past experiences of the client.
Client’s role
The client needs to be able to think independently of the problem and avoid getting sucked into the crisis. The client’s main role is to employ their abilities to rationally isolate their thinking from the issue.
Theory strengths
Solution focused approach allows finding quick solutions and seeing alternative perspectives on the client’s life. It is applicable to wide variety of problems and situations.
Theory limitation
The theory is short term; it is not expected to last very long. The theory is suitable only for certain type of clients that are able and willing to withdraw themselves from their issues.
Key terms
Miracle question – “the problems are gone”. Coping questions – looking for the client’s abilities and opportunities. Problem-free talk – discussion of non-problematic aspects of the client’s life.
Theory: Career Counseling
Key concepts: Career counseling is focused on helping the individuals develop skills that allow them solve their workplace and career issues more effectively (Burwell & Chen 2006). The theory works through the concepts of self-knowledge and recognition, the demands of the workplace and professional skills.
Key theorists
Frank Parsons
Appropriate populations
The career counseling clients are normally people that are facing issues at the workplace or are having trouble with the career development. Of course, these are the employed people. Adult unemployed people are also appropriate for the career counseling because they are facing a crisis of changing careers.
Inappropriate populations
Children and students are inappropriate for the career counseling.
Therapist’s role
The therapists is to apply their professional skills in order to find out the roots of the client’s issue and then help them seek for the best solution. Often the clients require quick solutions; this is why career counseling is sometimes done with the help of the solution focused therapy.
Client’s role
The client has to be ready to apply critical approach to their issue, rationalize the problem and also demonstrate alternative thinking applying hypothetical outcomes.
Theory strengths
The theory is applicable to multiple kinds of workplaces and allows solving various problems considering both private and professional issues of the workers. Theory is designed for finding quick solutions in cases when the clients have to react to their situations immediately.
Theory limitations
The theory is only applied to the issues individuals face at their workplaces and it is not expected to help solving personal problems, love life crises and family conflicts. The theory cannot be applied for children.
Key terms
Self-knowledge – awareness of own emotional state, mental abilities, reactions and situations.
Reference List
Burwell, R. & C. P. Chen (2006). Applying the Principles and Techniques of Solutions Focused Therapy to Career Counseling. Counseling Psychology Quarterly 19(2), 189-203.
CIP Theory of Career Development (n. d.). The Career Center. Web.
Learning Theory of Careers Choice & Counseling (n. d.). National Guidance research Forum. Web.
Solution Focused Therapy (2010). Getselfhelp. Web.