Career Counseling and Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory Looking at the “triadic reciprocal interaction system”

Bandura’s reinforcement theory and observational learning  Individuals’ personalities come more from their learning experiences than from their genetics Learning by observation and by doing Acknowledges the role of behavior, thoughts and images  Triadic reciprocal interaction system – interaction of the environment, personal factors (memories, beliefs, preferences, and self- perceptions), and actual behavior

Bandura’s reciprocal interaction: Environmental Factors Actual Behavior Personal Factors

Bandura’s reciprocal interaction Self-System Cognitive Structures & Perceptions Personal Factors EnvironmentBehavior

Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory Genetic Endowment Environment & Events 1. Social Factors 2. Educational conditions 3. Occupational Conditions Learning Experiences 1. Insturmental Learning (H) 2. Associative Learning Experiences (O) Task- Approach Skills Client Cognitive & Behavioral Skills Self-observation Generalizations 1. about Abilities 2. About Values 3. About the World

Instrumental Learning Experiences (H) vs. Associative Learning Experiences (O)  Three Components:  Antecedents – refers to almost any type of condition; people respond to antecedents with behavior  Behaviors – may be obvious or subtle, may have impact on others  Consequences – may be obvious or subtle  Example: if someone gets an A on an exam, she will be more likely to continue studying in that field than if she does poorly  When an individual pairs a situation that was previously neutral with one that is positive or negative, an associative learning experience occurs

Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory Counselor Behavior Strategies  Reinforcement  Role Models  Role-Playing  Simulation

Cognitive Strategies for Counseling  Goal Clarification  Counter a Troublesome Belief  Look for Inconsistencies between Words and Actions  Cognitive Rehearsal

Social Learning Theory Goals for Career Counseling  1. People need to expand their capabilities and interests, and not base decisions on existing characteristics only.  2. People need to prepare for changing work tasks, and not assume that occupations will remain stable.  3. People need to be empowered to take action, not merely given a diagnosis.

Applying Planned Happenstance Theory to Career Counseling  5 Skills helpful in dealing with chance career opportunities. Curiosity Persistence Flexibility Optimism Risk Taking

Applying Planned Happenstance Theory to Career Counseling  Step 1: Normalize planned happenstance in the client’s history  Step 2: Assist clients to transform curiosity into opportunity for learning and exploration.  Step 3: Teach clients to produce desirable chance events.  Step 4: Teach clients to overcome blacks to action.