A bit more on SCCT

Although I have briefly explored social cognitive career theory, or SCCT, before in a previous post (here; Lent et al., 1996), I thought it was worth going over a few more things, and sharing a video (Hughes, 2017). 

About how we think through making our career decisions, and based on the general social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1989), it should be noted that SCCT is individualistic and Western in its approach. By this I mean that the model takes an individual focus, appearing to ignore relationships, whānau or values.

New Zealand is a South Pacific nation, in "the great 'Sea of Islands' (Hau’ofa, 1993) interconnected and without boundaries and includes the global diaspora of Pacific peoples, acknowledging cultural and spiritual interconnections of the diverse extended Pacific family (Vaai & Nabobo-Baba, 2017, p. 8) [... including] Māori" (Kennedy, 2019, p. 27). Cultural values lie in relationships, in the collective; not in the individual (Kennedy, 2019). 

While focused on our personal efficacy and outcome expectations (Inkson et al., 2015), elements of the client's environment are factored in through starting characteristics in the diagram accompanying this post of "person inputs"; and "background contextual affordances" (Inkson et al., 2015, p. 118). An interesting amendment to the 'accepted' SCCT diagram (i.e. accompanying this post; Inkson et al., 2015, p. 118) is that Truyens (2019) amends it with a "Perceived abilities" box feeding into "Self-efficacy expectations", and "Values" feeding into the "outcome expectations" box. 

Below is a video of Dr Amber Hughes (2017) explaining the SCCT model.

While I accept that this model appears to take account of ethnicity and culture, I am growing less convinced over time that it is broad enough to cope with the more relational cultures found in the South Pacific. I like the additions of Truyens (values and perceived abilities; 2019) but am now feeling that this model is perhaps too Western-centric for use in Aotearoa.

Sam

References:

Bandura, A. (1989). Human agency in social cognitive theory. American Psychologist, 44(9), 1175–1184. http://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.44.9.1175

Hughes, A. (2017, July 20). Career Counseling Episode 3: SCCT [video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Qzca2rvINmw

Inkson, K., Dries, N., & Arnold, J. (2015). Chapter 5: Careers as Action. In Understanding Careers (2nd ed., pp. 112-135). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Kennedy, J. (2019). Relational Cultural Identity and Pacific Language Education. International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 18(2), 26-39. https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/index.php/IEJ

Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D. & Hackett, G. (1996). Chapter 9: Career Development from a Social Cognitive Perspective. In Career Choice & Development (3rd ed., pp. 373-421). Jossey Bass.

Truyens, M. (2019). Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) Hackett & Betz, 1981; Lent, Brown, & Hackett 1994. Marcr. https://marcr.net/marcr-for-career-professionals/career-theory/career-theories-and-theorists/social-cognitive-career-theory-scct/