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How does Super's life span theory view the relationship between career development and age?

1. They are unrelated

2. They increase linearly

3. They typically follow a temporal order

4. They are cyclical

The correct answer is: They typically follow a temporal order

Super's life span theory emphasizes that career development is closely linked to various life stages or ages, suggesting that individuals progress through a series of identifiable and sequential stages over their lifetime. This perspective asserts that career development is not just a linear process or fixed entity but instead a dynamic journey influenced by age, experiences, and evolving self-concept. According to the theory, individuals undergo different stages such as growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance, and decline, each characterized by specific developmental tasks and challenges. These stages reflect the changing nature of an individual's career and personal life as they age, making it clear that career paths often follow a temporal order that coincides with life transitions, such as entering the workforce, changing careers, or approaching retirement. In contrast, the other options either deny a relationship between career development and age or propose relationships that don't accurately reflect the complexities of human development and the interdependencies between age-related factors and career choices. Thus, the choice that indicates a temporal order aligns perfectly with Super's understanding of the interplay between career development and age over a lifespan.