Super's Developmental Theory . Super's Developmental Theory model centers on self-concept and life stages . According to Super , life roles have an impact on career choice . Super believed there are five vocational developmental tasks . As with other developmental systems , lower tasks must be resolved before higher tasks can be accomplished .
The stages are growth , birth to age 14 or 15 . Primary tasks are creating a self-concept and developing a basic understanding of the world of work . Includes fantasy , interest and capacity Exploratory . 15 to 24 years old Main concerns are identifying and working toward a vocational preference . This includes tentative transition and trial Establishment .
24 to 44 years old , firming up vocational preference and advancing in the work are primary issues , which includes stabilization and advancement Maintenance . 44 to 64 years old , maintaining gains and status becomes the important issue and decline . Age 64 and above , the focus is easing out of work and moving into retirement , which includes deceleration and retirement .
Vocational maturity is the degree to which a person has completed these vocational developmental tasks . Super's theories have been developed into several assessment tools the career development inventory CDI , by Super and the career maturity inventory , or CMI , by Crites .
Viewing people as both rational and emotional , super believed the most effective career counseling would ask the following kinds of questions what sort of person do I think I am ? How do I feel about myself as I think I am ? What sort of person would I like to be ? What are my values and needs ? What are my aptitudes and interests ?
What can I do to reconcile my self-ideal with my real self ? What outlets are there for me , with my needs , values , interests and aptitudes ? How can I make use of these outlets ? Super's cycle of interviewing is one of non-directive problem exploration and self-concept portrayal .
Super also termed a concept called life span and life space , meaning that life roles are played out over the life of a career . The six roles are child , student , leisureite , citizen , worker and homemaker .