Kelly: Psychology of Personal Constructs Flashcards
A theory about theories
Metatheory
The meanings or interpretations that people place on anticipated events; people look at their world through templates that they create and then attempt to fit over the realities of the world; primarily shapes behavior
Personal Constructs
An assumption that all our interpretations of
the world are subject to revision or replacement; alternative interpretations are always available to people
Constructive
alternativism
Assumes that human behavior is shaped by the way people anticipate the future
Basic postulate
Although no two events are exactly alike, we construe similar events as if they were the same
Construction
corollary
Because people have different experiences, they can construe the same event in different ways
Individuality corollary
People organize their personal constructs in a hierarchical system, with some constructs in a superordinate position and others subordinate to them
Organization corollary
People construe events in an either/or manner, e.g., good or bad
Dichotomy corollary
People tend to choose the alternative in a dichotomized construct that they see as extending the range of their future choices
Choice corollary
Constructs are limited to a particular range of convenience; that is, they are not relevant to all situations
Range corollary
People continually revise their personal constructs as the result of their experiences
Experience corollary
Only permeable constructs lead to change; concrete constructs resist modification through experience
Modulation corollary
People’s behavior can be inconsistent because their construct systems can readily admit incompatible elements
Fragmentation corollary
Our personal constructs tend to be similar to the construction systems of other people to the extent that we share experiences with them
Commonality corollary
People are able to communicate with other people because they can construe those people’s constructions
Sociality corollary
A pattern of behavior that stems from people’s understanding of the constructs of others
Role
This role gives us a sense of identity
Core role
These roles are less central to our self−concept
Peripheral roles
Analogous to competent scientists who test reasonable hypotheses, objectively view the results, and willingly change their theories when the data warrant it
Normal people
Like incompetent scientists who test unreasonable hypotheses, reject or distort legitimate results, and refuse to amend outdated theories
Unhealthy people
The perception that one’s basic constructs may be drastically changed
Threat
Requires an incidental rather than a comprehensive restructuring of one’s construct system
Fear
The recognition that one cannot adequately deal with a new situation
Anxiety
The sense of having lost one’s core role structure
Guilt
Clients act out a predetermined role for several weeks; by playing the part of a psychologically healthy person, clients may discover previously hidden aspects of themselves
Fixed−role therapy
A measuring instrument used to discover ways in which clients construe significant people in their lives; clients place names of people they know on a repertory grid in order to identify both similarities and differences among these people
The Rep Test or The Role Construct Repertory Test
