A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z
    Please click on any of the letters above to find the corresponding theorist. Names are organised by surname, so you have to click on the corresponding first letter of the person's surname.Not all theories will have a corresponding page, yet, however. I am in the middle of updating this, so please come back to find out more. Of course, if there isn't a page yet, feel free to copy and paste anything into a search engine to do your research.As mentioned before, it is not my intention to offer an exhaustive explanation and analysis of each and every Theory. It's relatively easy to find that information on the many websites and in the many resources out there. It's my intention to offer something in addition to this, a useful summary that supports different learning styles and an exploration of the tools we can use with clients, linked to the different theories. I would also like to offer a succinct critique with each Theory to get you started. Especially if you are completing your Level 6 Qualification in Career Guidance and Development, it's imperative that you form your own critique and make up your own mind about each of the different theories you encounter. In addition, some tips for your research: Normally, none of us have access to a full academic library. The best most of us can hope for is a search on the web and the few books we have. Making your time on the web count is important and I hope the following will help with that:
  • If you are exploring a new to you Theory, I would suggest starting with a picture search in google or similar. This will normally bring up a visual representation of the Theory you are exploring. But... be careful you have the right one! This will hopefully give you a quick and easy way into a new Theory.
  • Wikipedia, however imprecise it is by reputation, is a good starting point to get to know more about theorists. Also don't forget the references at the bottom of every Wikipedia page, which can offer an excellent reading list for further exploration.
  • By adding the word 'scholar' or 'academic' behind your search term, you may have access to one of the many extracts of research texts that are available online. Another possible source of references, information and research could be book previews on websites like Amazon and co.
  • I have also added some useful links to websites about career Theory in the 'useful links' section of this part of the website.

A

Tanya Arroba - Decision Making Model - 1977
Norman Amundson - Hope-Action Theory - 2010
Nancy Arthur - Boundaryless Career - 1996
- Culture Infused Counselling Theory (CICC) - 2013

B

Albert Bandura - Social Learning Theory - 1977 & 1986 
Tol Bedford - The First Model - 1982
Kerry Bernes - Synergistic Theory of Organizational Career Development - 1999
Nancy Betz - Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) - 1981
David L. Blustein - Psychology of working - 2013
Katharine Cook Briggs - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Model* - 1945
Jim Bright - Chaos Theory of Careers - 2011
Steven D. Brown - Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) - 1996
Duane Brown - Value-based Career Decision Making - 1995 & 1996 & 2002

C

Raymond Cattell - 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)* - 1946, 1949 & 1965
J. M. Chartrand - Constructivist Theory - 1995
Charles P. Chen - Career Self-determination Theory - 2017
Raymond Christal - Five-factor Model (FFM) or OCEAN Model* - 1962
Larry Cochran - Constructivist Theory - 1997      
- Narrative Career Counselling - 1997
A. Collin - Constructivist Theory - 1986
Sherry Cormier - Cormier and Hackney Model - 1994
R. Kelly Crace - Values-Based Model of Career Choice - 1996

D

René V. Dawis - Work Adjustment Theory - 1984
Albert de Folter - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) - 2000 & 2012
Ans De Vos - Career Inaction Theory - Verbruggen and De Vos, 2019
Carlo DiClemente - Stages of Change Model - 1983
John Driscoll - The ‘What’ Model - 2007

E

Gerard Egan - Skilled Helper Model - 1998  

F

Alison J. Fielding - Single Interaction Model
Dawn Freshwater  - The ‘What’ Model - 2001

G

Graham Gibbs - Reflective Model - 1988
Eli Ginzberg - Developmental Theory - 1951
Linda Gottfredson - Theory of Circumscription and Compromise - 1981

H

Gail Hackett - Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) - 1981 & 1997
Harold L. Hackney - Cormier and Hackney Model - 1993
Douglas T. Hall - Protean Career - 1976
Liane Hambly - Skills Development Scotland - A Coaching approach to guidance - 2008
Sunny Hansen - Integrative Life Planning Theory - 1997
Frederick Herzberg - Motivation-Hygiene Theory - 1968
Phil Hodkinson - Careership Theory - 1996
John L. Holland - Environmental Theory – Matching Theories - 1966, 1973, 1985, 1992
Kimberly A.S. Howard - Career Choice and Attainment Model - 2010

J

Dennis T. Jaffe - Change Model - Resistance Cycle 1988
Melanie Jasper - The ‘What’ Model - 2001

K

Minna Kattelus - Sparks Theory - 2010 & 2015
David Kolb - Experiential Learning Cycle 1985
John D. Krumboltz - Planned Happenstance Learning Theory - 1999 & 2004 
- Learning Theory of Career Choice and Counselling (LTCC) - 1997
- Social Learning Theory (SLTCDM) - 1976 & 1990 & 1996

L

Bill Law - Community Interaction Theory - 1981 & 1996
- DOTS Model - 1977 & 1996
- 3 Step Storyboarding - 2008
Reinekke Lengelle - Career Writing Method - 2017
Robert W. Lent - Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) - 1995
J. G. Lenz - Cognitive Information Processing Theory - 1999
A. S. Levin - Happenstance Theory - 1999 & 2004
Kurt Lewin - Change Management Model - 1947
Ronald Lippitt - 7 Stage Model of Change - 1958
Lloyd H. Lofquist - Work Adjustment Theory - 1985
Tom Luken - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) - 2000 & 2012

M

Kris Magnusson - Coherent Career Practice - 2011
Abraham Maslow - Hierarchy of Needs - 1954
Mary McMahon - Systems Theory Framework of Career Development - 2007
Frans Meijers - Career Writing Method - 2017
Isabel Briggs Meyers - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Model* - 1944
William R. Miller - Motivational Interviewing - 1983
Judi Miller - Solution Focused Career Theory - 2004
Anna Miller - Tiedeman - Life-is-Career Theory - 1999
Kathleen E. Mitchell - Happenstance Theory - 2001
L. K. Mitchell - Learning Theory of Careers Choice and Counselling (LTCC) - 1996
Anita M. Mitchell - Social Learning Theory (SLTCDM) - 1990 & 1997  

N

Roberta A. Neault - Career Engagement Model - 2011
Nigel Nicholson - Transition Cycle - 1988
Spencer Niles - Hope-Action Theory - 2010

O

R. P O'Hara - Decision Making Theory - 1963
Gabriele  Oettingen - The WOOP Model - 2014

P

Frank Parsons - Environmental Theory – Matching theories - 1908
Cecil Holden Patterson - Client-centred Theory - 1964
Wendy Patton - Systems Theory Framework of Career Development - 2006
R. Vance Peavy - Constructivist Theory - 1992
- Narrative Career Counselling - 2000
G. W. Peterson - Cognitive Information Processing Theory - 1999
Deirdre A. Pickerell - Career Engagement Model - 2011
Mark Pope - Career Counselling with Underserved Populations Model - 2011
James Prochaska - Stages of Change Model - 1983
Robert Pryor - Chaos Theory of Careers - 2011

R

R. C. Reardon - Cognitive Information Processing Theory - 1999
Dave Redekopp - Coherent Career Practice - 2011
Hazel L. Reid - Single Interaction Model
Danielle Rivern-Simard - Continuous Participation Model - 2005
Ken Roberts - Structural Theory (Opportunity Structure Model) - 1968 & 1997
Alec Rodger - Environmental Theory – Matching theories - 1952
Anne Roe - Theory of Career Choice and Development - Psychodynamic Theories - 1956
Carl Rogers - Client-centred Theory - 1942 & 1951
Gary Rolfe  - The ‘What’ Model - 2001
Stephen Rollnick - Motivational Interviewing - 1983
Denise M. Rousseau - Boundaryless Career - 1996

S

James P. Sampson - Cognitive Information Processing Theory - 1999
Mark Savickas - Career Construction Theory & Life Design – Narrative appr. - 2005
- Constructivist Theory - 1993 & 1997
- Narrative Career Counselling - 1997
- Psychodynamic Theories - 1989
Edgar H. Schein - Career Anchors - 1975
Nancy Schlossberg - Transition Theory - 1981 & 1989
Donald A. Schön - Reflection-in-action/Reflection-on-action model 1983
Donald A. Schutt - Strengths-based Approach - 2007
Cynthia D. Scott - Change Model - Resistance Cycle - 1988
Andrew C. Sparkes - Careership Theory 1997
Donald Super - Developmental Theory - Life Span Development - 1957 & 1961
- Developmental Theory (further developed) - 1980

T

David Tiedeman - Decision Making Theory - 1963
Anna Miller Tiedeman - Life-is-Career Theory - 1999
Ernest Tupes - Five-factor Model (FFM) or OCEAN Model* - 1961

V

Ladislav Valach - Contextual Action Theory (CAT) - 2002
Marijke Verbruggen - Career Inaction Theory - Verbruggen and De Vos, 2019
Victor Vroom - Expectancy Motivation Theory - 1964
Lev Vygotsky - Contextual Action Theory (CAT) - 2002

W

Anthony Gordon Watts - DOTS Model - 1977 & 1996
M.A. West - Transition Cycle - 1988
Sir John Whitmore - GROW Model

Y

Hyung Joon Yoon - Hope-Action Theory - 2010
R. A. Young - Constructivist Theory - 1986
- Contextual Action Theory (CAT) - 2002