Chapter 11 - Kelly

Question 1

Personal construct theory

Answer 1

Kelly’s description of personality in terms of cognitive processes: we are capable of interpreting behaviour and events and using this understanding to guide our behaviour and to predict the behaviour of other people

Question 2

Construct

Answer 2

An intellectual hypothesis that we devise and use to interpret or explain life events. Constructs are bipolar, or dichotomous, such as tall versus short or honest versus dishonest

Question 3

Constructive alternativism

Answer 3

The idea that we are free to revise or replace our constructs with alternatives as needed

Question 4

Construction corollary

Answer 4

Because repeated events are similar, we can predict or anticipate how we will experience such an event in the future.

Question 5

Individuality corollary

Answer 5

People perceive events in different ways

Question 6

Organization corollary

Answer 6

We arrange our constructs in patterns, according to our view of their similarities and differences

Question 7

Dichotomy corollary

Answer 7

Constructs are bipolar; for example, if we have an opinion about honesty, that idea must also include the concept of dishonesty

Question 8

Choice corollary

Answer 8

We choose the alternative for each construct that works best for us, the one that allows us to predict the outcome of anticipated events.

Question 9

Range corollary

Range of convenience

Answer 9

Our constructs may apply to many situations or people, or they may be limited to a single person or situation

Range of convenience = spectrum of events to which a construct can be applied.

Question 10

Experience corollary

Answer 10

We continually test our constructs against life’s experiences to make sure they remain useful

Question 11

Modulation corollary

Answer 11

We may modify our constructs as a function of new experiences

Question 12

Fragmentation corollary

Answer 12

We may sometimes have contradictory or inconsistent subordinate constructs within our overall construct system

Question 13

Commonality corollary

Answer 13

Although our individual constructs are unique to us, people in compatible groups or cultures may hold similar constructs

Question 14

Sociality corollary

Answer 14

We try to understand how other people think and predict what they will do, and we modify our behaviour accordingly.

Question 15

Permeability

Answer 15

The idea that constructs can be revised and extended in light of new experiences

Question 16

Self-characterization sketch

Answer 16

A technique designed to assess a person’s construct system; that is, how a person perceived himself or herself in relation to other people

Question 17

Fixed role therapy

Answer 17

A psychotherapeutic technique in which the client acts our constructs appropriate for a fictitious person. This shows the client how the new constructs can be more effective than the old ones he or she has been using

Question 18

Cognitive complexity

Answer 18

A cognitive style or way of construing the environment characterized by the ability to perceive differences among people.

Question 19

Cognitive simplicity

Answer 19

A cognitive style or way of construing the environment characterized by a relative inability to perceive differences among people

Question 20

Attributions complexity

Answer 20

Extent to which people prefer complex rather than simple explanations for social behaviour