Community interaction theory
According to this theory, the most significant factors in occupational choice are the inter-
personal transactions conducted in local settings.‘The way in which who-does-what in society is decided is the product of a plurality of inter-
personal transactions conducted in local settings, and on the basis of interaction within and
between groups of which the individual is a member - the community ... The evidence gives
significance to the personal exchanges which occur between individuals and the people
with whom they are in community contact - notably family, neighbourhood, peer group, eth-
nic group and teachers at school.’ (Law, 1981, p.218)
Law suggests that events occur in the context of ‘community interaction’ between the indi-
vidual and the social group of which she or he is a member. A number of modes or sources
of community influence are identified, specifically: expectations, from an individual’s family
and community groups; feedback, referring to the varied messages that individuals receive
about their suitability for particular occupations and roles; support, relating to the reinforce-
ment of young people’s aspirations; modelling, referring to the process by which people are
influenced by example; and finally, information, which is defined as young people’s observa-
tions of other people’s work habits and patterns.
In 1996, Law extended his theory to include additional propositions relating to the roles
of innate abilities, more advanced abilities and feelings in career choice. He identifies the
processes linked with these abilities as understanding, focusing, sensing and sifting, argu-
ing that the more developed capacities cannot be engaged unless some basic capacities
have been successfully developed to support them. These are all crucial for career devel-
opment, though Law (1996) suggests that like all other forms of learning, individuals can
acquire the necessary skills through education.