Chaos Theory


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Chaos Theory

approximately 1989

derives from economics, mathematics, biology, and physics

views individuals as being complex and dynamic and believes that with progress comes challenges
  • The Concept of Attraction
    • process used by individuals to organize coherent self and then maintain and sustain it when change occurs 
    • subdivisions of attraction: point attractor, pendulum attractor, torus attractor, and strange attractor
    1. point attractor - focus on choosing the best occupation based on a match between their personalities, abilities, and interests 
    2. pendulum attractor - describes swings in behavior (dichotomous either-or thinking, rigid beliefs) 
    3. torus attractor - routine, habitual, predictable thinking and behavior; control maintained by organization and classification
    4. strange attractor - strong sense of control, appreciate order and stability, adaptation and growth, chance as part of existence 
  • Chaos Theory and Spirituality 
    • connection - focus on how we are interconnected with humans, the world, and universe 
    • purpose - sense of meaning, purpose, and significance
    • transcendence - the idea that there is no greater power beyond our understanding
    • harmony - how everything integrates and fits together
    • calling - the idea that individuals have that what they are doing with their lives is a result of being "called" 
  • Chaos Theory and Shiftwork
    • change can occur gradually or very quickly - the effect of change is to reconfigure the system 
    • change = phase shift 
    • shiftwork - work of career counselors helping clients deal with these phase shifts or changes in their lives
    • see page 46 of textbook for examples of shifts

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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