This text uses General Systems Theory to unify the many approaches to career development. Relevant examples throughout the book help the reader see how career education and career counselling are influenced by research and practice.

In a departure from traditional career counselling texts, authors Patton and McMahon have developed a text that uses General Systems Theory to unify the many approaches to career development. This text not only illuminates a field of study but also seeks advance it. Relevant examples throughout the book help the reader see how career education and career counseling are influenced by research and practice.

Part I Review of existing theories - rationale for a systems theory perspective: definitions
present status of career development theory
the structure of career development theory
relationship with other fields
development of the systems theory approach
conclusion
theories focusing on content: the work of Frank Parsons
differential psychology
person-environment fit
similarities and differences between theories of content
conclusion
theories focusing on process: the work of Ginzberg
Super's life span, life space approach
individualistic approach
Gottfedson's theory of circumscription and compromise
similarities and differences between theories
theories focusing on content and process - Krumboltz's learning theory of career decision making, social cognitive career theory
cognitive information-processing model
developmental-contextual approach
Roe's theory of personality development and career choice
a contextualist action theory explanation of career
similarities and differences between theories
conclusion
comparison of the major theories - the individual
the context of career development
development
philosophical underpinning
relationship between variables
decision making
interaction process
chance
conclusion
theories of career development - wider explanations: women's career development
summary
career development racial and ethnic groups
the career development of lesbians and gay men
socialogical variables
conclusion. Part II The move toward integration and convergence - toward integration in career theory: underlying worldviews
stages in integration and convergence
the 1990s focus on convergence
the present position of career theory
conclusion
systems theory
the development of systems theory
issues in systems theory
systems theory elements
systems theory perspectives in career theory
systems theory and related conceptualizations
conclusion
a system theory framework of career development
development of the framework
the individual
the individual system
the contextual system
recursiveness
change over time
chance
advantages of a systems theory framework
implications of a systems theory perspective
application of the systems theory framework
the individual as a learning system
conclusion. Part III Systems theory and career practice: lifelong career development learning
the changing context
consumers of career development services
the case for lifelong learning
implications for career development facilitators
learning systems
conclusion
career development learning systems
the nature of knowledge and learning
the training dilemma
training a preferred view
preparing career counsellors
experiential learning viewed from a systems theory perspective
conclusion
career development learning in school systems
applying the systems theory framework to schools
the time perspective
the school as a subsystem
the school as a system.