Social Cognitive Career Theory

(SCCT)

Robert W. Lent

Steven D. Brown

Gail Hackett

- SCCT -

Stresses self-referent thinking in Motivation and in Behavior

Predicts:Interests

Choices

Performance

Offers a potentially unifying framework

How Holland types develop

How learning experiences influence interests in Krumboltz’s theory

What factors affect differential role salience in Super’s theory

How people acquire abilities in Dawis’ and Loftquist’s Theory of Work Adjustment

SCCT – Central concepts and assumptions

Person-environment interaction is dynamic and situation specific

People are products AND producers of their environments

Key Theoretical Constructs Self-efficacy Outcome expectations Goals (symbolic representations of desired

future outcomes)

Sources of Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations

Self-Efficacy

Interest

Intentions/ Goals for Activity

Involvement

Activity Selection

and Practice

Performance Attainments (e.g., goal fulfillment, skill development

Development of Basic Career Interests over Time(Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994)

Perceived Abilities

Values

Outcome Expectations

Learning Experiences

Self-Efficacy

Interest Choice Goals

Choice Actions

Performance Domains and Attainments

Person, Contextual, and Experiential Factors Affecting Career-Related Choice Behavior

(Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1993)

Outcome Expectations

Person Inputs-Predispositions-Gender-Ethnicity-Disability/Health Status

Background Contextual

Affordances

Contextual InfluencesProximal to Choice Behavior

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SCCT – Intervention Implications

Expand interests and facilitate choice Revisit Foreclosed options

Overcome barriers to choice and success Highlight Supports

Develop and modify self-efficacy and outcome expectations