Theory Junkies

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Theory Junkies

• Sarah Ann Hones
• Southern Oregon University
• honess_at_sou.edu
• Karen Sullivan-Vance
• Western Oregon University
• sullivak_at_wou.edu

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Theory Junkies

• How often do you consider how theory informs your
  advising practice?
• Do you want to consider theory as a basis for how
  you approach your day-to-day activities?
• Are there theorists we should know and examine to
  strengthen our approach to working with students
  in advising?

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Necessary Components of an Advising Program

• Intentionality
• Coherency
• Based on theory and knowledge of teaching,
  learning, human development
• Recognition of Student populations and diversity
• Responsive to student needs
• CAS Standards for Advising (1997)

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Necessary Components Cont.

• Conceptual
• Relational
• Informational

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What is theory?

• Theory is a common language for a community of
  scholars.
• Lee Knefelkamp
• (in Komives and Woodard, (2003), Student
  Services A handbook for the profession. San
  Francisco Jossey-Bass, page 154.)

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Toward a Definition of Theory

• Consistency
• Making meaning
• Describing how humans act
• Influencing outcomes
• Explaining outcomes
• Planning and development

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What is good theory?

• Inclusive
• Useful
• Can be replicated
• Contributes to the understanding of practice
• Relevant to practice
• Limitations are recognized

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Limitations of Theory

• We are individuals and we work with individuals
• Students should be empowered to make decisions
• Cultural limitations

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Schools of Student Development Theory

• Cognitive-Structural
• Psychosocial
• Person-Environment
• Humanistic
• Typologies

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Developmental Theories

• Students
• Colleges/Universities
• Advisors

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Theorists

• Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
• Deficit Needs
• Physiological
• Safety and
  Security
• Love and
  Belonging
• Esteem Needs
• Growth Need
• 
  Self-Actualization

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Theorists Cont.

• Chickerings 7 Vectors
• Developing Competence
• Managing Emotions
• Moving through Autonomy toward Interdependence
• Developing mature interpersonal relationships
• Establishing Identity
• Developing Purpose
• Developing Integrity

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Theorists Cont.

• Kurt Lewin
• Person-Environment Interactions Theory
• Behavior is a function the interactions of a
  person and his/her environment.
• Nevitt Sanfords Challenge and Support
• George Kuh-Involving Colleges
• Alexander Astin-Student Involvement

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Theorists Cont.

• Vivienne Cass
• Homosexual Identity Formation Theory
• 6 Stages
• Identity Confusion
• Identity Comparison
• Identity Tolerance
• Identity Pride
• Identity Synthesis

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Theorists Cont.

• Malcolm Knowles
• Andragogy-how adults learn
• Nancy Schlossberg
• Transition Theory

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Theorists Cont.

• Marjorie Olney and Amanda Kim
• Disability Identity Theory
• Not one set of disabilities
• Individuals act differently because theyre
  treated differently
• Identity formation
• Self-concept/perception
• Managing others perceptions

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Olney and Kim

• Implications of the disability
• Self-definition
• Appraisal of abilities
• Making sense of situations

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Theorists Cont.

• Terry OBanion and Burns Crookston
• Developmental Advising

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Theory for Advisors

• Lee Knefelkamp (1990)
• Seasons of Academic Life
• Hones, Sullivan-Vance-Modeling Mentoring, a
  developing theory

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• Development of the whole student is more complex
  than one theory or even a cluster of theories can
  explain.
• Evans, N.J., Forney, D.S. Guido-DiBrito, F.
  (1998) Student development in college Theory,
  research and practice. San Francisco
  Jossey-Bass.

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Resources on Theory

• Evans, N.J., Forney, D.S. Guido-Di-Brito, F.
  (1998) Student development in college Theory,
  research and practice. San Francisco
  Jossey-Bass.
• Komives and Woodard. (2003) Student services A
  handbook for the profession. San Francisco
  Jossey-Bass

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Additional Resource on Theory

• NACADA Theory and Philosophy of Advising Interest
  Group
• Chair Peter Hagen
• Institution Richard Stockton College of New
  Jersey
• Phone [phone]
• Email hagenp_at_stockton.edu