Chaos Theory and Its Application to Vocational Counseling: A Critical Reappraisal

Gluck, Andrew L.

doi:10.1002/j.2161-007x.1997.tb00390.x

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Some (e.g., Gluck, 1997) have criticized reflective career decision-making models as introducing increased uncertainty into the lives of people who already experience stress. Although it is important to maintain empathetic sensitivity and to avoid counterproductively overwhelming clients, it also is important to avoid disempowering them.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Existential and Chaos Theory

Bland

Roberts-Pittman

2013

Journal of Career Development

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Although the skills promoted by career decision-making models based on information processing, social cognition, and person-environment fit are necessary for general career success, they insufficiently meet the demands of a global society and the current economy. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of two holistic approaches to career decision making: existential and the chaos theory of careers. We propose that these models are more suitable for today's working world insofar as they promote career adaptability, vocation/calling (beyond job), and moral responsibility in work in the postmodern era. However, because their utility has not yet been extensively researched (despite ample theoretical exposure in the career literature), these models remain relatively unfamiliar to most career counselors. For each model, we provide a theoretical overview, review existing research, and propose areas for further study to identify contexts for which each model may be best suited.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Existential and Chaos Theory

Bland

Roberts-Pittman

2013

Journal of Career Development

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“…Several writers have sought to apply chaos theory to career development including inter alia, Brack, Brack, and Zucker (1995), Riverin-Simard (1996), Gluck (1997), Gibb (1998), Amherdt (1999), Duffy (2000) and Bloch (2005). However, to date the Chaos Theory of Careers represents the most systematic, sustained, broadly researched and evaluated application of chaos theory to career development (e.g.…”

Section: Pryor and Bright's Chaos Theory Of Careersmentioning

confidence: 96%

The value of failing in career development: a chaos theory perspective

Pryor

Bright

2011

Int J Educ Vocat Guidance

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Failing is a neglected topic in career development theory and counselling practice. Most theories see failing as simply the opposite of success and something to be avoided. It is contended that the Chaos Theory of Careers with its emphasis on complexity, uncertainty and consequent human imitations, provides a conceptually coherent account of failure in career development. The benefits of failing are outlined. The counselling implications of failure and ways for it to be addressed and utilised with those confronting career development challenges are also discussed.Résumé. La valeur de l'échec dans le développement vocationnel : une perspective de la théorie du chaos. L'échec est un sujet négligé dans les théories du développement vocationnel ainsi que dans la pratique du conseil. La plupart des théories voient l'échec simplement comme l'opposé du succès et comme quelque chose à éviter. Il est soutenu que la « théorie du chaos des carrières » , avec son insistance sur la complexité, l'incertitude et, par conséquent, les limites humaines, fournit un cadre conceptuel cohérent de l'échec dans le domaine du développement vocationnel. Les bénéfices de l'échec sont décrits. Les implications de l'échec pour le conseil ainsi que les moyens de l'aborder et de l'utiliser avec une population confrontée à des défis liés à son développement vocationnel seront également discutés.Zusammenfassung. Der Wert des Scheiterns in der beruflichen Entwicklung: Eine Chaos-Theorie-Perspektive. Scheitern ist ein vernachlässigtes Thema in der Theorie der beruflichen Entwicklung und Beratungspraxis. Die meisten Theorien sehen Scheitern einfach als das Gegenteil von Erfolg und als etwas, das es zu vermeiden gilt. Es wird behauptet, dass die Chaos-Theorie der Laufbahnentwicklung

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“…One objection is that 'chaos' has negative connotations for many people, implying a stressinducing lack of control (Gluck 1997). Indeed, there is some suggestion that 'chaos theory' and 'complexity theory' are used interchangeably simply because of the comparative appeal of the word, 'complexity'.…”

Section: The Philosophical Case Against the Use Of Chaos Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As noted in Chapter Three, there is currently no single definition of chaos theory secondary to its nonlinear history of development, its use in both the physical and social sciences, and warnings by some authors that developing a single definition of the theory might inadvertently prevent further development of the theory (Farazmand 2004;Gluck 1997;Hodge 2007;and Mayer-Kress 1994).…”

Section: Chapter Eight: the Relevance And Utility Of Chaos Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Precedents in the literature of the use of chaos theory to examine both individuals' career trajectories and broader workforces, and its application in vocational counselling contexts, have been explored (see, for example, Begun 1994;Bland & Roberts-Pittman 2013;Bright and Associates 2010;Bright et al 2009;Davey et al 2005;Garmon 2004;Gluck 1997;Haigh 2002;Loader 2011;Peterson, Krumboltz & Garmon 2005;Pryor 2010;Pryor &Bright 2004 andand Peake & McDowall 2012). Review of the literature reveals that the application of chaos theory is nonetheless a relatively recent endeavour, and there is a need to further examine its relevance and usefulness (Bland & Roberts-Pittman 2013;and Law et al 2014).…”

Section: Chapter Eight: the Relevance And Utility Of Chaos Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Valuing complex and diverse career pathways: the career trajectories and career-related choices of early career practitioners

Turner¹

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Historically, career was understood to be a static, linear concept concerned primarily with paid employment. More recently, broader conceptualisations of career have extended its meaning to incorporate all aspects and roles of an individual's life and to acknowledge its inherently complex, individual, dynamic and contextual nature. Change, now recognised as a key characteristic of career, underpins choice-making processes, which are influenced by a range of factors, including broad contextual issues like labour market trends, in addition to more personal concerns such as family circumstances. This thesis explored the career trajectories of early career professionals (ECPs) employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance (HCSA) industry. Specifically, the aims of the study were to investigate how ECPs describe their career trajectories and account for their careerrelated choices, to identify important attractors and deterrents in relation to career-related choices, and to explore the relevance and usefulness of chaos theory to this topic.In particular, the author sought to understand how the career trajectories of ECPs develop in the context of complex systems including the family, organisations and the broader society. The conceptual approach chosen for its potential to capture this complexity was chaos theory. Three principles of chaos theory were explored. First, chaotic systems change with time and are characterised by randomness and variation. Second, they are sensitive to initial conditions. Finally, their functioning and level of change is affected by several types of attractors.The context of this study was Queensland's non-government mental health sector (NGMHS).Challenges currently facing the broader mental health sector include inadequate responses to consumer needs, difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled mental health professionals, an ageing workforce, and increasing reliance on non-government organisations (NGOs). Early career professionals employed within Queensland's NGMHS were chosen as the subjects of this study for their documented characteristics, which include high career mobility, variable work readiness, overand under-qualifications, and disparities between their expectations and the realities of employment.Their potential to both exacerbate and to counter challenges faced by Queensland's NGMHS made focusing on these ECPs compelling. Recent calls for Australia to enhance its long-term economic sustainability in the global context by concentrating more on developing the service economy, rather than the commodities sector, provided added impetus for this study.A qualitative, exploratory methodology was adopted. The research design involved a two-phase study consisting of concept maps and individual autobiographical interviews. Participants comprised 25Page 2 of 309 ECPs who had completed university studies in the five years prior to 2012 and who were employed in Queensland's NGMHS. Data were analysed thematically, using both inductive and deductive approaches.Early career ...

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Chaos Theory and Its Application to Vocational Counseling: A Critical Reappraisal

Cited by 5 publications

References 12 publications

Existential and Chaos Theory

Existential and Chaos Theory

The value of failing in career development: a chaos theory perspective

Valuing complex and diverse career pathways: the career trajectories and career-related choices of early career practitioners

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