Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPLP Practice Questions and Study Guide

The trait-and-factor theory, developed by Williamson, is focused on the idea that individual characteristics, such as intelligence, ambition, and personal traits, play a significant role in guiding career choices and personal development. This theory suggests that by assessing a person's traits and matching them to relevant occupational factors, one can understand and predict successful career paths.

Williamson's approach emphasizes the importance of understanding individuals on a personal level, particularly their capabilities and potential. The theory posits that personal traits must be considered in the context of the available job market and existing roles, creating a tailored approach to career counseling and development. This aligns with the question, which seeks a theory that prioritizes individual traits as a basis for understanding people.

In contrast, the other theories mentioned do not place as strong an emphasis on personal traits. Super's developmental framework is more focused on the stages of career development over a lifetime, while Holland's Theory centers on personality types and their fit with work environments. Krumboltz's model, on the other hand, considers the influence of social learning and experiences in shaping career choices. Therefore, Williamson's trait-and-factor theory stands out as the one that explicitly emphasizes understanding people through their inherent personal traits.