Kelly’s Theory of Personal Kelly’s Theory of Personal Constructs - CognitiveConstructs - Cognitive

Constructive alternativismConstructive alternativism = we can = we can change or replace the way that we change or replace the way that we interpret eventsinterpret events Behavior is rarely predeterminedBehavior is rarely predetermined We make our own decisionsWe make our own decisions We don’t just react – we act We don’t just react – we act

Kelly’s personal constructsKelly’s personal constructs

= mental representations used to interpret = mental representations used to interpret eventsevents

Constructs areConstructs are

1.1. Bipolar – have opposing characteristicsBipolar – have opposing characteristics emergent pole – applies to the event being emergent pole – applies to the event being

construedconstrued Implicit pole – end of the construct not being Implicit pole – end of the construct not being

actively appliedactively applied

Qualities of ConstructsQualities of Constructs

1.1. Role of recurrencesRole of recurrences

2.2. Range of convenience – set of events for Range of convenience – set of events for which a construct is usefulwhich a construct is useful

3.3. Permeability – degree to which a Permeability – degree to which a construct’s range of convenience can be construct’s range of convenience can be alteredaltered

4.4. Focus of convenience – set of events for Focus of convenience – set of events for which construct is which construct is mostmost predictive predictive

5.5. Elaboration and changeElaboration and change

Organization of constructsOrganization of constructs

HeirarchicalHeirarchical Superordinate levelsSuperordinate levels Subordinate levelsSubordinate levels

Not permanently fixedNot permanently fixed

Growth & DevelopmentGrowth & Development

Revolves around attempt to Revolves around attempt to maximize understanding and maximize understanding and prediction of the worldprediction of the world

Tendency is innateTendency is innate Actively process eventsActively process events

AssessmentAssessment

Role Construct Repertory Test “Rep Role Construct Repertory Test “Rep Test”Test”

GridGrid Columns across top – significant people Columns across top – significant people

in lifein life Rows down side – sets of construals to Rows down side – sets of construals to

be madebe made Consider groups of triadsConsider groups of triads

Normal Functioning and Normal Functioning and PsychopathologyPsychopathology

Normal functioning: successfully Normal functioning: successfully interpreting and predicting eventsinterpreting and predicting events

Psychological distress Psychological distress AnxietyAnxiety Fear Fear threatthreat

Fixed Role TherapyFixed Role Therapy

Change overt behavior in order to Change overt behavior in order to generate new construalsgenerate new construals