(Bandura, 1997, p. 436). Thus larger systemic issues, not just self
processes, require attention in the effort to foster women’s career
options. Although this analysis identifies some daunting obstacles, on
a more hopeful note it also implies several developmental routes for
redressing or preventing socially imposed limitations on women’s
career development (for example, via efforts to build self-efficacy and
promote support systems relative to non-gender-stereotypical perfor-
mance domains).
Hackett and Byars (1996) provide a social cognitive analysis of
the career development of persons of color, in particular, African
American women. They note how culturally based learning experi-
ences corresponding to the sources of efficacy information (for exam-
ple, social encouragement to pursue certain options, exposure to
racism, role modeling) may differentially influence African Ameri-
can women’s sense of career self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goals,
and subsequent career progress. Hackett and Byars suggest a variety
of theory-based methods, including developmental interventions,
social advocacy, and collective action, for promoting the career
growth of African American women. Related research has found
support for applications of SCCT’s basic interest and choice models
to Hispanic, black, and Asian American student samples (for exam-
ple, Fouad & Smith, 1996; Gainor & Lent, 1998; Tang, Fouad, &
Smith, 1999).
Other applications of SCCT to diverse client populations are
also noteworthy. Chartrand and Rose (1996) adapted the theory to
a career intervention for adult female prison inmates. Szymanski
and Hershenson (1998) considered SCCT’s relevance for persons
with disabilities, noting that self-efficacy and outcome expectations
are particularly useful constructs within a vocational rehabilitation
context. Fabian (2000) considered how SCCT could be used to de-
rive career interventions specifically for adults with mental illness.
Morrow, Gore, and Campbell (1996) used SCCT as a framework
for understanding the career development of lesbian women and
gay men, noting how social-contextual influences can affect self-
efficacy, outcome expectations, and the process through which
284 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT