Complexity, Chaos, and Nonlinear Dynamics: A New Perspective on Career Development Theory.

CAREER development; COMPLEXITY (Philosophy); CAREER education; EDUCATION; SOCIAL role; PERSONNEL management

The author presents a theory of career development drawing on nonlinear dynamics and chaos and complexity theories. Career is presented as a complex adaptive entity, a fractal of the human entity. Characteristics of complex adaptive entities, including (a) autopiesis, or self-regeneration; (b) open exchange; (c) participation in networks; (d) fractals; (e) phase transitions between order and chaos; (f) search for fitness peaks; (g) nonlinear dynamics; (h) sensitive dependence; (i) attractors that limit growth; (j) the role of strange attractors in emergence; and (k) spirituality, are described and then applied to careers. The article concludes with a brief case analysis and implications for practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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