Constructivism Flashcards
Constructivism
(Jesse Delia) Thesis: Individuals interpret and act according to conceptual categories of the mind; reality does not presnt itself in objective form but is filtered through the person’s own subjective way of seeing things; based on concept of personal constructs
Personal Constructs
See subjective differences based on what they have learned (tall short black white)
Numerous Personal Constructs
a person’s cognitive system consits of numerous binary distinctions which gives meaning to the world
Schemes
Constructs are organized into interpretive categories which allows us to place new info(category connects to another category)*
Orthogenetic Principle
As we get older we move from simple binary schemes to more complex ones
Constructivism
Constructs have social and cultural origins; groups are often influential in determining what differences we notice
Complexity v. Simplicity
based on relative number of contructs you have and the more distinctions you can make
Complex Constructs
Individuals with highly developed interpretive schemes make more discrimination than those who see the world simplicity
Cognitive differentation
The number of constructs you use on a certain topic; Delia says that the more cognitively complex a person is, the better he or she will be at communicating
Communication is… according to Delia
Goal Directed
Cognitive complexity and communication skills (4 areas)
- Social perception- identify another person’ emotional state; 2. Message production- create a person-center message directed to them to respond to; 3. Message reception- greater listener; 4. Coordinating interaction- ability to work with others, turn taking skills, group interaction and problem solving
This theory has positive correlation to..
persuasion, creating comforting messages, and longer relationships
