Toward an Expanded Definition of Adaptive Decision Making

This article draws from the life-span, life-space model (Super, 1980, 1990) of career development to examine the definition of adaptive decision making. First, the existing definition of adaptive decision making as “rational” decision making is reviewed. Next, alternate perspectives on decision making are offered with an emphasis on the implications for deciding in a life-span, life-space context. Finally, suggestions are made for future directions in theory, research, and practice.