Why We Made This:
Career development and vocational theories are core components of Industrial-Organizational Psychology—but the sheer volume of overlapping models and terminology can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this visual guide to simplify and compare theories from Parsons, Holland, Super, Krumboltz, Roe, Gottfredson, Marcia, and others—all in one place.
 
Learning Objectives:
Identify and explain major career development theories, including Trait and Factor, RIASEC, Life-Span/Life-Space, and Learning Theory of Career Choice.
Differentiate between identity statuses using Marcia’s theory (e.g., diffusion vs. achievement) and apply them to real-world scenarios.
Understand the stages of career decision-making, including Tiedeman & O’Hara’s anticipation and adjustment phases.
Describe how early experiences and family dynamics influence career paths through Roe’s Needs Theory.
Analyze career compromise and self-concept formation using Gottfredson’s model of circumscription and compromise.
Recognize patterns of career development (linear, expert, spiral, transitory) in Driver and Brousseau’s Career Concept Model.