Contemporary Theories of Career Development

In response to the complexities of social change that have become evident in the 21st century, there is a need for innovation in career theory that takes into account new perspectives and the fluctuating contexts of people's lives. Contemporary Theories of Career Development: International Perspectives brings together the contributions of theorists from around the globe whose work represents current, cutting-edge international approaches to career development theory. Emphasizing the new perspectives that are needed for this field to be relevant in a contemporary era, this book considers the cultural applications of theory in a diverse range of populations. Structured in three parts with chapters written by internationally renowned leaders in the field, this collection features a critical examination of the current history of the field; thirteen theory chapters, each enhanced by a case study; and a final chapter that draws the previous chapters together through key themes, broadening the reader's knowledge of theoretical perspectives and their interrelations. Each theory chapter author comments on and critiques his or her own theory, inviting readers to engage with these theories at both a practical and theoretical level through the case studies. Detailed, with reader-friendly descriptions and supplemented by international research, case examples, and discussion questions, Contemporary Theories of Career Development: International Perspectives is the ideal reference work for students studying the topic as well as a stimulus for researchers and practitioners looking to implement the theories in their work.

Nancy Arthur is a Professor in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada. Mary McMahon is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Part I: Career Development Theory: History, Challenges, and Practical Applications; Chapter 1: Career Development Theory: Origins and History; Chapter 2: The Reciprocal Relationship of Career Theory and Practice; Chapter 3: Stasis and Change: The Paradox in Theories of Career Development; Part II: Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives; Chapter 4: Social Cognitive Career Theory: Empirical Evidence and Cross-Cultural Applications; Chapter 5: Cognitive Information Processing Theory: Applications of an Empirically-Based Theory and Interventions to Diverse Populations; Chapter 6: Contextual Action Theory: Concepts, Processes, and Examples; Chapter 7: Career Construction for Life Design: Practice and Theory; Chapter 8: The Systems Theory Framework of Career Development: Accommodating Context, Complexity and Culture; Chapter 9: The Living Systems Theory of Vocational Behaviour and Development; Chapter 10: Careers as Fractal Patterns: The Chaos Theory of Careers Perspective; Chapter 11: The Psychology of Working Theory: A Transformative Perspective for a Challenging Era; Chapter 12: Choice or Constraint? Sociological Career Theory; Chapter 13: Career Development Theory and Practice: A Culture-Infused Perspective; Chapter 14: The Cultural Preparedness Framework: Equilibrium and its Alteration; Chapter 15: Career Development: Insights from Organization Theory; Chapter 16: Counseling/Psychotherapy: A Vocational Perspective for Psychotherapy; Part III: Implications for Theory and Practice: Moving the Field Forward; Chapter 17: Contemporary Career Development Theories: Expanding International Perspectives