Blog 7: Race/Gender Ecological Theory

1. Theorist:

• Ellen P. Cook
• Mary J. Heppner
• Karen M. O'Brien

2. Happenstance Learning Theory:

• Human behavior results from the ongoing, dynamic interaction between the person and the environment
• Used to understand and intervene in the vocational behavior of diverse women.
• Guiding theoretical framework from Bronfenbrenner's four major subsystems that influence human behavior:
1. Microsystems: interpersonal interactions within a given environment, such as home, school, or work settings
2. Mesosystems: Interaction between two or more Microsystems such as, the relationship between an individual's school and his or her work environment
3. Ecosystem: Linkages between subsystems that indirectly influence the individual, such as one's neighborhood or the media
4. Macrosystems: Ideological components of a given society, including norms and values
• Six implications for the practice of career counseling:
1. Reminds career counselors that we can change the person-environment interaction in numerous ways for any given client, 
2. Calls on counselors to serve as client advocates working towards environmental and societal changes that may facilitate the development of present and future clients
3. Careful assessment of the client's ecosystem determines how and where career counseling interventions can be most effectively implemented for an individual.
4. Counselor serves as liaison
5. Counselor uses diverse methodologies and emphasizes that clients are best served when a diverse range of conceptualizations and interventions are considered
6. Requires range of skills not typically required in intrapsychically oriented interventions but respects the complexity of influences shaping an individual's life over time. 

3. External Video:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKjYDC-4HYY

Gysbers, N.C, Heppner, M. J., & Johnston, J. A. (2014). Career Counseling: Holism, Diversity, and Strengths. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. (4th ed).