Prestige and sex type are variables in the theory of

• A. Krumboltz
• B. Parson
• C. Gottfredson
• D. Super

Answer: (C)

Gottfredson's circumscription and compromise theory explains how people’s career choices are shaped by where occupations sit in terms of prestige and gender associations. Prestige is the social ranking or status of a job, while sex type shows whether a occupation is culturally seen as masculine or feminine. According to this theory, children start by mapping jobs onto a social space defined by these dimensions and gradually limit their options to those that fit their self-concept and gender expectations. As they grow and encounter real-world limits—like education, access, or discrimination—they compromise, giving up options that conflict with gender norms or perceived prestige. This explains why choices often align with both gender stereotypes and prestige hierarchies, even before detailed career information is learned.