Dissertation Writers: Trait Theory
Trait Theory
Parsons developed his theory in the early 1900s; central to Parson’s theory is that each individual has unique abilities, interests and personality characteristics and values. Parsons suggested that occupational decision making occurs when people achieve the following:
· an accurate understanding of their individual traits (aptitudes, interests, personal interests, personal abilities)
· a knowledge of jobs and the labor market
· rational and objective judgment about the relationship between their individual traits, and the labor market (Parson’s Theory, n.d., Para 2).
Parson’s theory posits that each job has specific aspects that are necessary to perform the functions of the job and assumes that an individual’s abilities, personality characteristics, values, and abilities match particular jobs (Parsons, 1909). That is, individuals fit a job based on the match of the job requirements or specific aspects needed to perform the job and the individual’s traits. In other words, an individual’s traits and particular job requirements align to make the best fit for a person and consequently, result in an individual’s satisfaction and success with a particular job. Finally, Parsons believed that career counselors were fundamental to a person’s job search success. He suggested that the counselor and client would go through a series of seven stages:
1. Personal data: create a statement of key facts about the person, remembering to include every fact that has bearing on the vocational problem.
2. Self-analysis: a self-examination is done in private and under the instruction of the counselor. Every tendency and interest that might impact on the choice of a life work should be recorded.
3. The client’s own choice and decision: this may show itself in the first two stages. The counselor must bear in mind that the choice of vocation should be made by the client, with the counselor acting as guide.
4. Counselor’s analysis: the counselor tests the client’s decision to see if it is in line with the “main quest”.
5. Outlook on the vocational field: the counselor should be familiar with industrial knowledge such as lists and classifications of industries and vocations, in addition to locations of training and apprenticeships.
6. Induction and advice: a broad-minded attitude coupled with logical and clear reasoning are critical at this stage.
7. General helpfulness: the counselor helps the client to fit into the chosen work, and to reflect on the decision (Parson’s Theory, n.d., Para 4).
Although Parson’s theory is used today criticism relative to matching a person with a particular job suggests stability in the labor market when in fact, the labor market is anything but stable.
Elaborate and discuss these statements in detailed form.
