Psychological Approaches for Investigating Women's Career Advancement

Abstract

The investigation by psychologists of women's work-rôle achievements and career advancement, especially into the managerial rôle, is classified into two broad categories of conceptual approach. The traditional orientation, emphasising person-centred explanations for women's lack of advancement, is contrasted with the more contemporary approaches, which consider the person in relation to contextual factors. It is argued that social cognition theory, with its emphasis on the interplay between background or given influences, cognitive-personal factors, and environmental conditions presents a more useful psychological framework for research into women's career advancement.