WHY DO PEOPLE ENTER DIFFERENT

OCCUPATIONS?

The problem in explaining this can be approached

in different perspectives and each of these

perspectives by the very nature of the discipline

from which it derives, excludes from consideration

some important variables which may affect

occupational choice and selection. For this reason,

representatives from various disciplines have

collaborated in the development of a more

inclusive conceptual framework

BLAU-GUSTAD-JESSOR-PARNES-WILCOX (1956)

SOCIOLOGICAL OR

SITUATIONAL APPROACH

Nature

Biological Nurture

Situational Choice

Selection

PETER MICHAEL, BLAU1918-2002- From Vienna Austria

- Secular Jew

- University of

Chicago

- His entire family had

been killed in 1942

- Sociologist

RICHARD JESSOR

• Psychologist

• University of Colorado

HERBERT S. PARNES

1919-2006• Social Scientist

• Economist

• Ohio State University

RICHARD C. WILCOCK• Economist

• Institute of Labor and Industrial

Relations, University of Illinois

JOHN W. GUSTAD• Psychologist

• University of Maryland

The process of choice and process

of selection is a synthesis of the

effects of one’s biological traits,

social institutions/structures,

environment and economic status

on career choice and development

Determinants Of Occupational

Choice And Development

• Psychological – mental ability

• Physiological – ones physic

• Economic – financial matters

• Sociological determinants

How Choices are Made

• Biologically determined: Individual

characteristics that are responsible for

choice

• Socially Conditioned: through family

influences, social position and relations

and developed social-role

characteristics.

PROCESS OF SELECTION

• Socially Related Influences

• Physical conditions

- resources - limited/abundant

- topography - rich-flat land/mountainous

- climate - dry/wet/cold/hot

OTHER BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• A social structure exists that imparts

patterns of activities, identification with

models, and aspirations among various

social groups;

• Career development is a continuous

process; and

• Situational conditions also exert

influences on career – development

patterns.

CONCLUSION

• There are innate unique abilities and traits

of every individual that can be developed

through experiences.

• Biologically determined traits can be

enhanced or deteriorate depending on how

an individual reacts in his surroundings.

• One’s NATURE can be NURTURED or

forgotten.

• This model is effective for clarifying

situational elements in the career

development process.

• Career choice is seen as a series

of interrelated decisions involving

the individual’s biological

endowment, social milieu, and

environmental conditions.