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Career Theory – Timeline
Career theory is a daunting subject for most people, but it doesn’t have to be. I hope the information in this section is going to help you get to grips with theory, how and why theory works in career guidance and the development of career theories and related over the last century. Maybe you’ll even grow to like or love theory, if you don’t already!
A bit of ‘career’ history
The early days…
Theory around career guidance arguably officially started in 1908 with Frank Parsons, and has since then seen major developments and, quite frankly, a lot of progress and change, as has society. Theory has generally matched developments in the world of work, education and society at large in that it always has mirrored requirements of individuals in the world of work. In Parson’s time, this meant the needs of society ‘as a machine’ in the industrialised era at the start of the 20th century Europe, which was on the brink of it’s first industrialised war.
Career guidance in the 21st century
Career theory at the start of the 20th century differs starkly with the requirements of the early 21st century, where the jobmarket is increasingly highly technological, fragmented and uncertain in a very different way to that a century or so ago. Career guidance reflects this. The difference in attitude is one from ‘the good of the nation’ to that of ‘the good of the individual’. Career guidance doesn’t focus as much on ‘what the nation needs and wants’ as it does on ‘what the individual needs and wants’ in the first decades of the century and the new millenium.
Some considerations
It’s important to make a couple of considerations around theory however:
- Different people categorise theories in a different way. No categorisation is fixed but I follow the one indicated in the learning outcomes for the Level 6 qualification in career guidance and career development, where appropriate.
- Theories are not fixed on the day they become established. Theories continue to develop over time, either by the theorist (eg. Holland) or through the interpretation of others in the context of a new reality (eg the difference between the original conception of trait and factor and the way it’s interpreted now in a very different social and theoretical/philosophical context).
- Equally, theories are not developed out of thin air but are always developed out of ‘what went before’ and ‘what is around’. They always have a history. Their development and conception can appear to be sudden, but it’s often difficult to pin down to a precise date, or even year.
The Timeline
The timeline on this page can therefore only offer a general idea of the development of career guidance theory and it is important to see it in that way, as an introduction and overview, rather than as a fixed model.
As an introduction to this, please feel free to explore the timeline below. There is a full index organised by theory and one organised by theorist on the next pages.
I have, as far as possible, classified theories using the different icons below. Classification is not always clearly possible or easy and some theories fall in between, or straddle, two or more categories. The categorisation I made is therefore slightly tenuous. It should fit in with the requirements for the Level 6 Qualification in Career Guidance, however.
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Differentialism | ![]() |
Theories focusing on the needs or specific sociocultural groups | ![]() |
Learning theories | |||
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Developmentalism | ![]() |
Theories linked to uplanned events management | ![]() |
Motivational theories | |||
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Structuralism | ![]() |
Constructivism | ![]() |
Transition theories and theories of change | |||
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Opportunity Structure | ![]() |
Theories derived from psychology/psychotherapy/counselling | ![]() |
Vocational behaviour theories | |||
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Social Learning | ![]() |
Theories of deicsion making and avoidance | |||||
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Community Interaction | ![]() |
Coaching theories |
020
General trend in focus in career guidance towards: |
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Decreasing career guidance theory and practice around a single aspect; eg.: the economy, stages of life, skills matching, etc… | Decreasing: Positivism – Modernism – Objectivism – Central position of society |
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Theory |
Primary category |
⇓ |
Theorists |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental Theory – Matching theories | ![]() |
1908 | Frank Parsons 1908 | ||
⇓ | |||||
1940 | |||||
1941 | |||||
Client-centred Theory | ![]() |
1942 | Carl Rogers 1942 & 1951 | ||
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Model* | ![]() |
1943 | Meyers and Briggs 1944 | ||
1944 | |||||
1945 | |||||
Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)* | ![]() |
1946 | Raymond Cattell 1946, 1949, 1965 | ||
Change Management Model | ![]() |
1947 | Kurt Lewin 1947 | ||
1948 | |||||
1949 | |||||
1950 | |||||
Developmental Theory | ![]() |
1951 | Ginzberg et al. 1951 | ||
Environmental theory – Matching theories | ![]() |
1952 | Alec Rodger 1952 | ||
1953 | |||||
Hierarchy of Needs | ![]() |
1954 | Maslow 1954 | ||
1955 | |||||
Theory of Career Choice and Development | ![]() |
1956 | Anne Roe 1956 | ||
Developmental Theory – Life Span Development | ![]() |
1957 | Donald Super 1957 and Donald Super et al. 1961 | ||
7 Stage Model of Change | ![]() |
1958 | Ronald Lippitt 1958 | ||
Motivation Hygiene Theory – 2 Factor Theory | ![]() |
1959 | Frederick Herzberg | ||
1960 | |||||
Five-factor Model (FFM) or OCEAN model* | ![]() |
1961 | Ernest Tupes & Raymond Christal 1961 | ||
1962 | |||||
1963 | |||||
Expectancy Motivation Theory | ![]() |
1964 | Victor Vroom 1964 | ||
Client-centred Theory | ![]() |
1965 | C.H. Patterson 1965 | ||
Environmental Theory – Matching theories | ![]() |
1966 | John L. Holland 1966, 1973, 1985, 1992 | ||
1967 | |||||
Opportunity Structure Theory | ![]() |
1968 | Roberts 1968 – 1997 | ||
1969 | |||||
1970 | |||||
1971 | |||||
1972 | |||||
1973 | |||||
1974 | |||||
Career Anchors | ![]() |
1975 | Edgar H. Schein 1975 | ||
Protean Career | ![]() |
1976 | Douglas T. Hall 1976 | ||
Social Learning Theory (SLTCDM) | ![]() |
⇓ | Krumboltz et al 1976, Mitchell & Krumboltz 1990 & 1996 | ||
DOTS Model | ![]() |
1977 | Law & Watts, 1977 & 1996 | ||
Social Learning Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Albert Bandura 1977 & 1986 | ||
Decision Making Model | ![]() |
⇓ | Tanya Arroba 1977 | ||
1978 | |||||
1979 | |||||
Developmental Theory (further developed) | ![]() |
1980 | Donald Super 1980 | ||
Community Interaction Theory | ![]() |
1981 | Bill Law 1981 & 1996 | ||
Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) | ![]() |
⇓ | Hackett & Betz, 1981; Lent, Brown, & Hackett 1994 | ||
Theory of Circumscription and Compromise | ![]() |
⇓ | Linda Gottfredson 1981 | ||
Transition Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Schlossberg 1981 & 1989 | ||
The FIRST Model | ![]() |
1982 | Tol Bedford 1982 | ||
Motivational Interviewing | ![]() |
1983 | William R. Miller, Terri Moyers and Stephen Rollnick 1983 | ||
Stages of Change Model – Transtheoretical Model | ![]() |
⇓ | James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente 1983 | ||
Experiential Learning Cycle | ![]() |
1984 | David Kolb 1984 | ||
Work Adjustment Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Dawis & Lofquist 1984 | ||
1985 | |||||
Social Learning Theory | ![]() |
1986 | Albert Bandura 1977 & 1986 | ||
1987 | |||||
Change Model | ![]() |
1988 | Cynthia Scott and Dennis Jaffe | ||
Transition Cycle | ![]() |
⇓ | N. Nicholson and M. A. West 1988 | ||
Psychodynamic Theories | ![]() |
1989 | Mark Savickas 1989 | ||
Social Learning Theory (SLTCDM) | ![]() |
1990 | Krumboltz et al 1976, Mitchell & Krumboltz 1990 & 1996 | ||
Constructivist Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Chartrand et al., 1995; Cochran, 1997; Collin & Young, 1986; Peavy, 1992; Savickas, 1993 & 1997; Young et al. 1996 | ||
1991 | |||||
1992 | |||||
Cormier & Hackney Model | ![]() |
1993 | Harold L. Hackney & Sherry Cormier, 1993 | ||
Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) | ![]() |
1994 | Hackett & Betz, 1981; Lent, Brown, & Hackett 1994 | ||
Value-based Career Decision Making | ![]() |
1995 | D Brown 1995, 1996& 2002; Brown & Crace 1995 | ||
Boundaryless Career | ![]() |
1996 | Arthur & Rousseau 1996 | ||
Community Interaction Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Bill Law 1981 & 1996 | ||
DOTS Model (review) | ![]() |
⇓ | Law & Watts, 1977 & 1996 | ||
Learning Theory of Careers Counselling (LTCC) | ![]() |
⇓ | Mitchell and Krumboltz 1996 | ||
Social Learning Theory (SLTCDM) | ![]() |
⇓ | Krumboltz et al 1976, Mitchell & Krumboltz 1990 & 1996 | ||
Careership Theory | ![]() |
1997 | Phil Hodkinson and Andrew C. Sparkes 1997 | ||
Integrative Life Planning Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Sunny Hansen 1997 | ||
Narrative Career Counselling | ![]() |
⇓ | Savickas (eg 1997), Cochran (eg 1997) & Peavy (eg 2000) | ||
Skilled Helper Model | ![]() |
1998 | Gerard Egan 1998 | ||
Cognitive Information Processing Theory (CASVE) | ![]() |
1999 | Sampson, Lenz, Reardon, & Peterson 1999 | ||
Planned Happenstance Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Krumboltz & Levin 1999 – 2004; Mitchell et al., 1999 | ||
Life-is-Career Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Miller-Tiedeman 1999 | ||
Synergistic Theory of Organisational Career Development | ![]() |
⇓ | Kerry Bernes 1999 | ||
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/training (ACT) | ![]() |
2000 | Tom Luken & Albert de Folter 2000 & 2012 | ||
2001 | |||||
Contextual Action Theory (CAT) | ![]() |
2002 | Lev Vygotsky, L. Valach & Young, R. A. 2002 | ||
2003 | |||||
Solution Focused Career Theory | ![]() |
2004 | Judi Miller 2004 | ||
Career Construction Theory & Life Design – Narrative Approach | ![]() |
2005 | Mark Savickas 2005 | ||
Continuous Participation Model | ![]() |
⇓ | Danielle Rivern-Simard 2005 | ||
Systems Theory Framework of Career Development | ![]() |
2006 | Wendy Patton & Mary McMahon 2006 | ||
Strengths-based Approach | ![]() |
2007 | Schutt 2007 | ||
3 Step Storyboarding Model | ![]() |
2008 | Bill Law 2008 | ||
Skills Development Scotland – A Coaching approach to guidance | ![]() |
⇓ | Liane Hambly 2008 | ||
2009 | |||||
Career Choice and Attainment Model | ![]() |
2010 | Kimberly A.S.Howard 2010 | ||
Sparks Theory | ![]() |
⇓ | Minna Kattelus 2010 – 2015 | ||
Career Counseling with Underserved Populations Model | ![]() |
2011 | Mark Pope 2011 | ||
Career Engagement Model | ![]() |
⇓ | Roberta A. Neault & Deirdre A. Pickerell 2011 | ||
Chaos Theory of Careers | ![]() |
⇓ | Pryor and Bright 2011 | ||
Coherent Career Practice | ![]() |
⇓ | Kris Magnusson & Dave Redekopp 2011 | ||
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/training (ACT) | ![]() |
2012 | Tom Luken & Albert de Folter 2000 & 2012 | ||
Culture Infused Career Counselling Model (CICC) | ![]() |
2013 | Nancy Arthur 2013 | ||
Psychology of Working* | ![]() |
⇓ | David L. Blustein 2013 | ||
2014 | |||||
2015 | |||||
2016 | |||||
Career Self-determination Theory | ![]() |
2017 | Charles P. Chen 2017 | ||
Career Writing Method | ![]() |
⇓ | Reinekke Lengelle & Frans Meijers 2017 | ||
2018 | |||||
2019 | |||||
2020 | |||||
2021 | |||||
2022 | |||||
*Even though the Psychology of Working Theory is described by Blustein himself as a theory of change, it incorporates and doesn’t exclude aspects or the application of other theories so is in effect a more holistic theory.
There seems to be a trend towards:
- A more holistic practice
- A counselling or coaching model (depending on part of the country, employer and resources, especially financial and time)
- Increasing post modernism
- Increasingly towards a holistic and subjectivist approach.
Let’s have a look at these theories in more detail to find out what they look like: