George Kelly theories of personality

What was his approach ?

Cognitive

Personal Construct theory

Kelly's description of personality in terms of cognitive processes , we are capable of interpreting behaviors and events and of using this understanding to guide our behavior and to predict the behavior of other people.

construct

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

Constructive alternativsim

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

Kelly meaning of processes

personality was a continually flowing ,moving process.

Corollaries of personal construct theory

construction,individuality,organization,dichotomy, choice,range,experience,modulation,fragmentation,commonality,sociality

Construction

because repeated events are similar,we can predict or anticipate how we will experience such an event.

individuality

people perceive events in different ways

organization

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

dichotomy

constructs are different for example if we have an opinion about honesty that idea must also include the concept of dishonesty.

choice

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

range

our constructs may apply ti many situations or people or they may be limited to a single person or situation.

experience

we continually test our constructs against life's experiences to make sure they remain useful .

Modulation

we may modify our constructs as a function of new experiences.

Fragmentation

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

Commonality

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

sociality

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

range of convenience

the spectrum of events to which a construct can be applied. some constructs can be limited to a number of people or situations;other constructs are broader.

permeability

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

Kelly's primary method of assessment

the interview

Role construct repertory test

uncovers the constructs that we apply to the important people in our lives.

personal construct

unique way of looking at events in our lives to try to explain and predict future events .