Theory: Developmental Theory of Occupational Aspirations/Theory of Circumscription &

Compromise
Theorist/Proponent: Linda Gottfredson
Concept Definition
Developmental Theory of Occupational The theory assumes that we build a cognitive
Aspirations map of occupations by picking up occupational
stereotypes from those around us.
Self-concept One's view of self that has many elements,
such as one's appearance, abilities,
personality, gender, values, and place in
society.
Images of occupations Refer to occupational stereotypes that include
personalities of people in different
occupations, the work that is done, and the
appropriateness of that work for different types
of people.
Cognitive maps of occupations These constitute how adolescents and adults
distinguish occupations into major dimensions,
specifically, masculinity/femininity,
occupational prestige level, and field of work.
Social space The zone of acceptable alternatives in each
person's cognitive map of occupations, or
each person's view of where they fit or want to
fit in society. Career decision should center
around "territories" instead of specific jobs.
Circumscription Ruling out unacceptable options based on
their perceived fit with ones' developing self-
concept.
Self-creation altering self-concept in light of developmental
or environmental factors
Compromise individuals may be inclined to sacrifice roles
they see as more compatible with their self-
concept in favor of those that are perceived to
be more easily accessible.
4 Stages of Cognitive Development / Stages of
Circumscription
1. Orientation to size and power (ages 3-5) Thought process is concrete; children develop
some sense through sex roles of what it
means to be an adult.
2. Orientation to sex roles (ages 6-8) Self-concept is influenced by gender
development. Begin to assign job roles to
certain sexes.
3. Orientation to social valuation (ages 9-13) Development of concepts of social class
contributes to the awareness of self-in-
situation. Preferences for level of work
develop. They will begin to designate some
jobs as unacceptable because they fall below
a minimum status level (tolerable level
boundary) and some higher status jobs as
unacceptable because they represent too
 much effort or risk of failure (tolerable effort
boundary).
4. Orientation to the internal unique self (ages Introspective thinking promotes greater self-
14+) awareness and perceptions of others.
Individual achieves greater perception of
vocational aspirations in the context of self,
sex role, and social class. Until this point
circumscription has been mainly an
unconscious process.
Essence
Self-concept in vocational development is a key factor to career selection because people want
jobs that are compatible with their self-images. A key factor in career decision is self-concept
that is determined by one's social class, level of intelligence, and experiences with sex-typing. If
core elements of self-concept conflict with an occupation, the occupation is rejected.