The examination of occupational alternatives that are inside
and outside an individual’s zone of acceptable alternatives is facili-
tated by a one-page map of the occupational world, such as the
Occupational Aptitude Patterns Map (Gottfredson, 1986a).
Nature-nurture partnership theory provides counselors addi-
tional tools for preventing or reversing unwarranted circumscription
and compromise. It does so by showing how people’s zones of accept-
able alternatives—indeed, their selves—are shaped in large measure
by their progress in finding or creating healthy, genetically congenial
life niches within their cultural settings. The new challenge that this
theory poses for counseling psychology is this: How do we work with
our natures to fashion sound, congenial environments when we can-
not fully know what our natures are? The research gives us a few
facts to work from. The vast majority of counselors may already prac-
tice what I suggest next, but nature-nurture partnership theory helps
illuminate the basis for their collective wisdom.
Fact 1: For all practical purposes, we cannot purposefully
change individual differences in general traits such as intelligence
and personality. Modifying environments (administering “treat-
ments”) will likely have no lasting effect on these highly general
tendencies.
Therefore work with, not against, core traits.Although we cannot
create or erase career-relevant general traits, we can train and con-
strain their expression, that is, respond wisely to them. So, although
we cannot eradicate the unfavorable ones (extreme impulsivity,
aggressiveness, timidity, low intelligence), we may be able to sup-
press, mute, constructively channel, or even disguise them, just as
we can highlight, train, and capitalize on more favorable attributes
(gregariousness, high quantitative ability, conscientiousness). More-
over, habits for highly specific forms of behavior (say, in how we
cope with shyness or impulsiveness in specific settings) canbe
ingrained or eradicated. In short, we can respond wisely by bringing
out the best and suppressing the worst in ourselves.
Fact 2: In contrast to the general traits, the ends-specific traits
such as vocational interests seem to be more context-dependent
GOTTFREDSON’S THEORY OF CIRCUMSCRIPTION, COMPROMISE, AND SELF-CREATION 135