Constructivism/Social Constructionism


The Theoretical Era can be divided into two categories: Modern and Postmodern. This blog will discuss one theory from the Postmodern Era, Constructivism/Social Constructionism.



Theorists: Mark Savickas and others


Summary:

  • Constructivism: a type of learning theory that describes how individuals construct their own ideas about themselves, others, and their worlds as they try to make sense out of their real-life experiences
  • Social Constructionism: covers a range of views from acknowledging how social factors shapes interpretations to how the social world is constructed by social processes and relational practices
  • When using this theory, it “requires the counselor to enter into the psychosocial sphere of a person’s career system”
    • Using the narrative approach within the career counseling process to help clients tell their story starting where they are in their own language
    • Helping clients to describe their life career development past, present, and future in terms of life career themes and patterns
  • Can gather client information through quantitative and qualitative procedures
    • Ex. Life Career Assessments, Career Genograms, and card sorts
  • Emphasis is on
    • Clients sharing how they view themselves, others, and their worlds
    • How they make sense out of their life roles, settings, and events past, present, and future
    • How they talk about possible personal and environmental barriers and social constrains they may be facing

 


Additional Links:  Article, Video

 

Reference:

Gysbers, N.C., Heppner, M.J. Johnston, J.A. (2014). Career Counseling: Holism, Diversity, and Strengths. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

 

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