TPC_Digest_Volume_2_Issue_2

A b s t r a c t The respective roles of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and cognitive information processing (CIP) in career exploratory behavior were analyzed. A verified path model shows CIP’s negative career thoughts inversely predict SCCT’s career problem-solving self-efficacy, which predicts career exploratory behavior. The model suggests an intervention sequence to facilitate career exploration. T he R oles of N egative C areer T hinking and C areer P roblem -S olving S elf -E fficacy in C areer E xploratory B ehavior Two cognitive career theories, social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and cognitive information processing (CIP) have highlighted how a client thinks about his or her career in terms of decision making. SCCT conceptualizes this as self-efficacy, which sometimes has been practically applied as career decision- making self-efficacy. CIP conceptualizes clients’ career thinking as negative career thoughts that may lie in the domains of decision-making confusion, commitment anxiety, or external conflict. How these two approaches to client thinking are related has not been fully explored in prior research and may have implications for practice. College students (N = 145) enrolled in an introductory level career development course were recruited to participate in this study. During a regularly scheduled class period students in the course were read consent information by a research assistant, and then it was explained that the purpose of the study was to learn more about college students’ experiences. Participants were then administered the following assessments: a demographics questionnaire, Career Thoughts Inventory, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Career Exploratory Survey: Environmental Exploration and Self-Exploration. The order Emily Bullock-Yowell Sheba P. Katz Robert C. Reardon Gary W. Peterson TPC Digest