3-Phenomenological 1 Flashcards
core tenet of the phenomenological approach
the person’s subjective experience- his or her phenomenology- is the most important source of data for personality theorists
the person’s subjective experience- his or her phenomenology- is the most important source of data for personality theorists
core tenet of the phenomenological approach
Kelly’s “fundamental postulate”
behavior, thought, and feelings are determined by constructs used to anticipate or predict events
behavior, thought, and feelings are determined by constructs used to anticipate or predict events
Kelly’s “fundamental postulate”
basic nature of kelly’s constructs
1) vary in predictive efficiency: some constructs predict well (efficient), others don’t (inefficient)
2) Reflect recurring life themes
3) Vary in both their range of convenience and the extent to which they are permeable
4) are hierarchically organized
5) people choose for themselves that alternative in the dichotomized construct
constructs
traits or concepts applied to others in simplistic, either or fashion: flaky hysteric vs level-headed and well-adjusted
traits or concepts applied to others in simplistic, either or fashion: flaky hysteric vs level-headed and well-adjusted
constructs
personal constructs and psychological distress
when a construct no longer predicts well, anxiety is experienced
when our expectation of what will happen is wrong we feel anxiety
when a construct no longer predicts well, anxiety is experienced
when our expectation of what will happen is wrong we feel anxiety
personal constructs and psychological distress
how to combat anxiety and threat
1) generate a new construct
2) modify an existing construct
Therapy consists of modifying construct systems so that they predict better
empirical support
plaks et al
fixed-entity trait theorists felt more anxious after performance improvement than after no change
incremental theorists felt more anxious when performance did not change than after decline
both entities and incremental tread to gain subjective sense of control when theories failed