Personal Construct Theory (Chapter 11) Flashcards
Characterization of Kelly’s construct theory
Cognitive
how we construct (interpret it ) object reality
Behavior =f(Perception{S STIMULUS})
Constructive alternativism (Smith the lawnmower)
Kelly’s constructive alternativism theory is that we choose to interpret the situation
in different ways choosing how we construct events.
Prof. John example about his crabby neighbor Smith
Kelly’s view of the person (scientist vs. rat metaphor
People develop individual construct systems just like scientists whole develop
theories
Skinner suggested that behavior is a function of the situation behavior= f (Situation) =f (S)
but all of his research was done on rats who react and think differently than humans
So did Skinner think of himself and his colleagues as rats (doesn’t account for creativity)
Kelly
Behavior = f (Perception [S])
human as a scientist
Kelly=build a model that includes the scientists
what is the goal of a construct system?
Goal of construct theory describe, understand, predict and
control (anticipating ) events
REP test
(Role Construct Repertory Test) Kelly
Role figures in your life are put under the columns and in the rows you have to choose a construct that best represents them and in the second row you’ll h
generating constructs
via “similarity” and “contrast” poles in the REP test
in order to form a construct 2 elements must be perceived as similar (similarity pole)
and there has to be a 3rd element that is perceived differently (contrast pole)
Submerged (repressed) contrast pole
Could be expressed in words but now either one or both poles of the construct cannot be verbalized
Verbal construct
Expressed in words
Preverbal constructs
are learned before the person develops the use of language.
(Basically, kids do not possess the skills to speak words but can still express themselves. An example of this is when kids use sign language or gestures to
communicate their needs such as hunger and sleepiness)
Core constructs
basic to a person’s functioning; can be changed only with great consequences for the rest of the construct system
Peripheral constructs
much less basic; can be altered without serious modification of the core structure
SUPERrordinate-basic level
most broad &includes all of information
ex.apple is a basic traist can be a granny smith apple or laptop
broadest construct: dog
SUBORDINATE
are middle-level constructs which are more narrows & specific ex. Golden retriever, german shepherd, poodle
good-kind-charitable
more likely to describe someone as kind (basic level)
charitable is more narrow.(subordinate)
and good is too broad (superordinate)
·cognitive complexity: complex vs. simplistic construct systems and finding
Cognitive Complexity: Has many constructs & provides for considerable differentiation in perception of phenomena. (high) RELATED TO OPENNESS
greater accuracy, & potential recognize differences between contrasts of constructs
(more accurate in predicting behavior, empathy, analyze differences)
Cognitively simple system: Has few constructs & provides for poor differentiation in perception of phenomena (low)
ex. only sees people as bad
Only to one or two dimensions repeated from line to line (through labeled with different words) (sees people in an identical way even to the extent of one construct
range of convenience
(kelly)
,those events or phenomena that are covered by a construct or by the construct system.
what are the 3 theories of motivation:
Push, Pull, and Jackass theories
(carrot theories ) Behaviorist theory:
people are motivated by external factors such as rewards & punishments
Think of skinner ex. I work hard for a big salary
Push theory
All individuals have internal or motives that push or properly them forward People are driven to x
ex. I felt a push to eat the cake,
ex. I was driven to workout because my ideal self goal is to be fit
Jackass theory (Kelly)
organisms are always active cognitively active, always processing information
ex. When I’m relaxing on my sofa I’m mapping out my week, I’m always thinking,
ex. When I’m watching a show I’m making predictions
Tolman’s tourist rats (learning without reinforcement)
rats were put into a trait transported around the maze even though there was no reward (reinforcement) rats knew how to get out of the maze when given an incentive since they had a cognitive map
Anxiety
Occurs when the person recognizes that his or her construct system does not apply to the events being perceived
EX. A person whose construct is caring shows selfish behavior she broadens her construct to include selfish/caring behavior
threat
occurs when the person is aware of an imminent, comprehensive change in his or her construct system
EX. music major will perform in front of a music jury that will determine the grade of their semester associates failure as threat
Psychopathology: How does Kelly define it
Psychoplathology is a disordered response to anxiety
Defined in terms of disordered functioning of a construct stystem
Fixed role therapy: 3 conditions favoring change
- Ceate atmosphere for experimentation try out new constructs (new ways of thinking 7 behaving)
Ex. If you don’t like your career change it; people are always changing )
- Provide new elements (new objects; experiences persons to construe)
- Validational data (get out and do some stuff ) get feedback to see weather constructions work
EX. I can’t go to office hours is too scary we’ll let’s test that belief =hypothesis)Try it out and collect data
Incremental and entity belief (carol dweck)
incremental beliefs (now Growth Mindset):
Belief that people can change these attributes (e.g., intelligence, shyness, emotions) IN LITTLE STEPS , PROGRESS AND NOT PERFECTION.
Entity beliefs (now Fixed Mindset):
Belief that these attributes are fixed, cannot be changed (issue: then you’re stuck, won’t try!) like a ROCK
(An entity view of intelligence suggests that is fixed cannot be change)
New research on irrational beliefs (Beck; Ellis
They have the belief we making ourselves unhappy due our own IRRATIONAL
beliefs
(ex. I must get an A if I get a B I’m a failure)
Developed CBT & RET (Rational emotive therapy
got the cognitive from kelly and Beahvior from skinner
