C.

George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

GEORGE KELLY
[ 1905 - 1967 ]

Dr. C. George Boeree

Psychology Department Shippensburg University
Original E-Text-Site: [ http://www.ship.e !/"#E$g%oeree/pers$ontents.ht&l '

1 | 18 ( Copyright )**#+ ,--. C. George Boeree

C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

Index

Index Introduction Bio r!"#$ %#eor$ The 2!n a&ental post!late The $onstr!$tion $orollary The experien$e $orollary The i$hoto&y $orollary The organi3ation $orollary The range $orollary The &o !lation $orollary The $hoi$e $orollary The in i4i !ality $orollary The $o&&onality $orollary The 2rag&entation $orollary The so$iality $orollary 5eelings &'$c#o"!t#o(o $ !nd %#er!"$ 6ssess&ent )i'cu''ion Conne$tions Re!din '

, / 0 1 1 . . . # * * )))) )) )) ), )/ )0 ). ). )7

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

Introduction
George Kelly was tea$hing physiologi$al psy$hology at 5ort 8ays Kansas State College in )*/). 9t was the ti&e o2 the !st %owl an the epression. :e$ogni3ing the pains an sorrows o2 the 2ar&ing 2a&ilies o2 this part o2 west-$entral Kansas+ he e$i e to o so&ething a little &ore h!&anitarian with his li2e: 8e e$i e to e4elop a r!ral $lini$al ser4i$e. ;in yo!+ this was har ly a &oney-&a<ing operation. ;any o2 his $lients ha no &oney. So&e $o!l n=t $o&e to hi&+ an so he an his st! ents wo!l tra4el+ so&eti&es 2or ho!rs+ to the&. 6t 2irst+ Kelly !se the stan ar 5re! ian training that e4ery psy$hology Ph.D. re$ei4e in those ays. 8e ha these 2ol<s lie own on a $o!$h+ 2ree asso$iate+ an tell hi& their rea&s. >hen he saw resistan$es or sy&%ols o2 sex!al an aggressi4e nee s+ he wo!l patiently $on4ey his i&pressions to the&. 9t was s!rprising+ he tho!ght+ how rea ily these relati4ely !nsophisti$ate people too< to these explanations o2 their pro%le&s. S!rely+ gi4en their $!lt!re+ the stan ar 5re! ian interpretations sho!l see& terri%ly %i3arre? 6pparently+ they pla$e their 2aith in hi&+ the pro2essional. Kelly hi&sel2+ howe4er+ wasn=t so s!re a%o!t these stan ar 5re! ian explanations. 8e 2o!n the& a %it 2ar2et$he at ti&es+ not @!ite appropriate to the li4es o2 Kansan 2ar& 2a&ilies. So+ as ti&e went %y+ he noti$e that his interpretations o2 rea&s an s!$h were %e$o&ing in$reasingly !northo ox. 9n 2a$t+ he %egan A&a<ing !pA explanationsB 8is $lients listene as $are2!lly as %e2ore+ %elie4e in hi& as &!$h as e4er+ an i&pro4e at the sa&e slow %!t stea y pa$e. 9t %egan to o$$!r to hi& that what tr!ly &attere to these people was that they ha an explanation o2 their i22i$!lties+ that they ha a way o2 !n erstan ing the&. >hat &attere was that the A$haosA o2 their li4es e4elope so&e or er. 6n he is$o4ere that+ while C!st a%o!t any or er an !n erstan ing that $a&e 2ro& an a!thority was a$$epte gla ly+ or er an !n erstan ing that $a&e o!t o2 their own li4es+ their own $!lt!re+ was e4en %etter. O!t o2 these insights+ Kelly e4elope his theory an philosophy. The theory we=ll get to in a while. The philosophy he $alle con'tructi+e !(tern!ti+i',. Constr!$ti4e alternati4is& is the i ea that+ while there is only one tr!e reality+ reality is always experien$e 2ro& one or another perspe$ti4e+ or alternati4e con'truction. 9 ha4e a $onstr!$tion+ yo! ha4e one+ a person on the other si e o2 the planet has one+ so&eone li4ing long ago ha one+ a pri&iti4e person has one+ a &o ern s$ientist has one+ e4ery $hil has one+ e4en so&eone who is serio!sly &entally ill has one. So&e $onstr!$tions are %etter than others. ;ine+ 9 hope+ is %etter than that o2 so&eone who is serio!sly &entally ill. ;y physi$ian=s $onstr!$tion o2 &y ills is %etter+ 9 tr!st+ than the $onstr!$tion o2 the lo$al 2aith healer. Det no-one=s $onstr!$tion is e4er $o&plete E the worl is C!st too $o&pli$ate + too %ig+ 2or anyone to ha4e the per2e$t perspe$ti4e. 6n no-one=s perspe$ti4e is e4er to %e $o&pletely ignore . Ea$h perspe$ti4e is+ in 2a$t+ a perspe$ti4e on the !lti&ate reality+ an has so&e 4al!e to that person in that ti&e an pla$e. 9n 2a$t+ Kelly says+ there are an in2inite n!&%er o2 alternati4e $onstr!$tions one &ay ta<e towar s the worl + an i2 o!rs is not oing a 4ery goo Co%+ we $an ta<e anotherB

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

Bio r!"#$
George Kelly was %orn on 6pril ,7+ )*-1+ on a 2ar& near Perth+ Kansas. 8e was the only $hil o2 Theo ore an El2le a Kelly. 8is 2ather was originally a pres%yterian &inister who ha ta<en !p 2ar&ing on his o$tor=s a 4i$e. 8is &other was a 2or&er s$hool tea$her. George=s s$hooling was errati$ at %est. 8is 2a&ily &o4e + %y $o4ere wagon+ to Colora o when George was yo!ng+ %!t they were 2or$e to ret!rn to Kansas when water %e$a&e s$ar$e. 5ro& then on+ George atten e &ostly one roo& s$hools. 5ort!nately+ %oth his parents too< part in his e !$ation. >hen he was thirteen+ he was 2inally sent o22 to %oar ing s$hool in >i$hita. 62ter high s$hool+ Kelly was a goo exa&ple o2 so&eone who was %oth intereste in e4erything an %asi$ally ire$tionless. 8e re$ei4e a %a$helor=s egree in )*,. in physi$s an &ath 2ro& Par< College+ 2ollowe with a &aster=s in so$iology 2ro& the Fni4ersity o2 Kansas. ;o4ing to ;innesota+ he ta!ght p!%li$ spea<ing to la%or organi3ers an %an<ers an $iti3enship $lasses to i&&igrants. 8e &o4e to Shel on+ 9owa+ where he ta!ght an $oa$he ra&a at a C!nior $ollege+ an &et his wi2e-to-%e+ Gla ys Tho&pson. 62ter a 2ew short-ter& Co%s+ he re$ei4e a 2ellowship to go to the Fni4ersity o2 E in%!rgh+ where he re$ei4e a %a$helor o2 e !$ation egree in psy$hology. 9n )*/)+ he re$ei4e his Ph.D. in psy$hology 2ro& the State Fni4ersity o2 9owa. Then+ !ring the epression+ he wor<e at 5ort 8ays Kansas State College+ where he e4elope his theory an $lini$al te$hni@!es. D!ring >orl >ar 99+ Kelly ser4e as an a4iation psy$hologist with the Ga4y+ 2ollowe %y a stint at the Fni4ersity o2 ;arylan . 9n )*0.+ he le2t 2or Ohio State Fni4ersity+ the year a2ter Carl :ogers le2t+ an %e$a&e the ire$tor o2 its $lini$al progra&. 9t was here that his theory &at!re + where he wrote his two4ol!&e wor<+ The Psy$hology o2 Personal Constr!$ts+ an where he in2l!en$e a n!&%er o2 gra !ate st! ents. 9n )*.1+ he %egan a resear$h position at Bran eis Fni4ersity+ where ;aslow was wor<ing. Sa ly+ he ie soon a2terwar + on ;ar$h .+ )*.#.

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

%#eor$
Kelly=s theory %egins with what he $alle his A/ruit/u( ,et!"#or.A 8e ha noti$e long %e2ore that s$ientists+ an therapists+ o2ten isplaye a pe$!liar attit! e towar s people: >hile they tho!ght @!ite well o2 the&sel4es+ they ten e to loo< own on their s!%Ce$ts or $lients. >hile they saw the&sel4es as engage in the 2ine arts o2 reason an e&piri$is&+ they ten e to see or inary people as the 4i$ti&s o2 their sex!al energies or $on itioning histories. B!t Kelly+ with his experien$e with Kansan st! ents an 2ar& people+ note that these or inary people+ too+ were engage in s$ien$eH they+ too+ were trying to !n erstan what was going on. So people E or inary people E are s$ientists+ too. The ha4e $onstr!$tions o2 their reality+ li<e s$ientists ha4e theories. They ha4e anti$ipations or expe$tations+ li<e s$ientists ha4e hypotheses. They engage in %eha4iors that test those expe$tations+ li<e s$ientists o experi&ents. They i&pro4e their !n erstan ings o2 reality on the %ases o2 their experien$es+ li<e s$ientists a C!st their theories to 2it the 2a$ts. 5ro& this &etaphor $o&es Kelly=s entire theory.

%#e /und!,ent!( "o'tu(!te

Kelly organi3e his theory into a /und!,ent!( "o'tu(!te an 11 coro((!rie'. 8is 2!n a&ental post!late says this: A6 person=s pro$esses are psy$hologi$ally $hanneli3e %y the ways in whi$h he anti$ipates e4ents.A IThis an all s!%se@!ent @!otations are 2ro& Kelly=s )*11 The Psy$hology o2 Personal Constr!$ts. J This is the $entral &o4e&ent in the s$ienti2i$ pro$ess: 2ro& hypothesis to experi&ent or o%ser4ation+ i.e. 2ro& anti$ipation to experien$e an %eha4ior. By pro$esses+ Kelly &eans yo!r experien$es+ tho!ghts+ 2eelings+ %eha4iors+ an whate4er &ight %e le2t o4er. 6ll these things are eter&ine + not C!st %y the reality o!t there+ %!t %y yo!r e22orts to !ntici"!te the worl + other people+ an yo!rsel2+ 2ro& &o&ent to &o&ent as well as ay-to- ay an year-to-year. So+ when 9 loo< o!t o2 &y win ow to 2in the so!r$e o2 so&e high-pit$he noises+ 9 on=t C!st see exa$tly an
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

$o&pletely what is o!t there. 9 see that whi$h is in <eeping with &y expe$tations. 9 a& rea y 2or %ir s+ perhaps+ or $hil ren la!ghing an playing. 9 a& not prepare 2or a %!ll o3er that operates with a s@!eal rather than the !s!al r!&%ling+ or 2or a 2lying sa!$er lan ing in &y yar . 92 a F5O were in 2a$t the so!r$e o2 the high-pit$he noises+ 9 wo!l not tr!ly per$ei4e it at 2irst. 9= per$ei4e so&ething. 9= %e $on2!se an 2rightene . 9= try to 2ig!re o!t what 9=& loo<ing at. 9= engage in all sorts o2 %eha4iors to help &e 2ig!re it o!t+ or to get &e away 2ro& the so!r$e o2 &y anxietyB Only a2ter a %it wo!l 9 %e a%le to 2in the right anti$ipation+ the right hypothesis: AOh &y Go + it=s a F5OBA 92+ o2 $o!rse+ F5O=s were a $o&&on pla$e o$$!rren$e in &y worl + !pon hearing high-pit$he noises 9 wo!l anti$ipate %ir s+ <i s+ or a F5O+ an anti$ipation that $o!l then %e @!i$<ly re2ine with a glan$e o!t o2 the win ow.

%#e con'truction coro((!r$

A6 person anti$ipates e4ents %y $onstr!ing their repli$ations.A That is+ we con'truct o!r anti$ipations !sing o!r past experien$e. >e are 2!n a&entally $onser4ati4e $reat!resH we expe$t things to happen as they=4e happene %e2ore. >e loo< 2or the patterns+ the $onsisten$ies+ in o!r experien$es. 92 9 set &y alar& $lo$<+ 9 expe$t it to ring at the right ti&e+ as it has one sin$e ti&e i&&e&orial. 92 9 %eha4e ni$ely to so&eone+ 9 expe$t the& to %eha4e ni$ely %a$<. This is the step 2ro& theory to hypothesis+ i.e. 2ro& con'truction '$'te, I<nowle ge+ !n erstan ingJ to anti$ipation.

%#e ex"erience coro((!r$

A6 person=s $onstr!$tion syste& 4aries as he s!$$essi4ely $onstr!es the repli$ation o2 e4ents.A >hen things on=t happen the way they ha4e in the past+ we ha4e to a apt+ to recon'truct. This new experien$e alters o!r 2!t!re anti$ipations. >e learn. This is the step 2ro& experi&ent an o%ser4ation to 4ali ation or re$onstr!$tion: Base on the res!lts o2 o!r experi&ent E the %eha4iors we engage in E or o!r o%ser4ation E the experien$es we ha4e E we either $ontin!e o!r 2aith in o!r theory o2 reality+ or we $hange the theory.

%#e dic#oto,$ coro((!r$

A6 person=s $onstr!$tion syste& is $o&pose o2 a 2inite n!&%er o2 i$hoto&o!s $onstr!$ts.A >e store o!r experien$e in the 2or& o2 con'truct'+ whi$h he also re2erre to as A!se2!l $on$epts+A A$on4enient 2i$tions+A an Atransparent te&plates.A Do! Apla$eA these Ate&platesA on the worl + an they g!i e yo!r per$eptions an %eha4iors. 8e o2ten $alls the& "er'on!( con'truct'+ e&phasi3ing the 2a$t that they are yo!rs an yo!rs alone+ !ni@!e to yo! an no-one else. 6 $onstr!$t is not so&e la%el or pigeon-hole or i&ension 9+ as a psy$hologist+ lay on yo!+ the Aor inaryA person. 9t is a s&all %it o2 how yo! see the worl . 8e also $alls the& 0i"o(!r con'truct'+ to e&phasi3e their dic#oto,ou' nat!re. They ha4e two en s+ or "o(e': >here there is thin+ there &!st %e 2at+ where there is tall+ there &!st %e short+ where there is !p+ there &!st %e own+ an so on. 92 e4eryone were 2at+ then 2at wo!l %e$o&e &eaningless+ or i enti$al in &eaning
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

to Ae4eryone.A So&e people &!st %e s<inny in or er 2or 2at to ha4e any &eaning+ an 4i$e 4ersaB This is a$t!ally a 4ery ol insight. 9n an$ient China+ 2or exa&ple+ philosophers &a e &!$h o2 yin an yang+ the opposites that together &a<e the whole. ;ore re$ently+ Carl K!ng tal<s a%o!t it a great eal. Ling!ists an anthropologists a$$ept it as a gi4en part o2 lang!age an $!lt!re. 6 n!&%er o2 psy$hologists+ &ost nota%ly Gestalt psy$hologists+ ha4e pointe o!t that we on=t so &!$h asso$iate separate things as i22erentiate things o!t o2 a &ore-or-less whole %a$<gro!n . 5irst yo! see a lot o2 !n i22erentiate Ast!22A going on Ia A%!33ing+ %loo&ing $on2!sion+A as >illia& Ka&es $alle itJ. Then yo! learn to pi$< o!t o2 that Ast!22A the things that are i&portant+ that &a<e a i22eren$e+ that ha4e &eaning 2or yo!. The yo!ng $hil oesn=t $are i2 yo! are 2at or thin+ %la$< or white+ ri$h or poor+ Kew or GentileH Only when the people aro!n hi& or her $on4ey their preC! i$es+ oes the $hil %egin to noti$e these things. ;any $onstr!$ts ha4e n!,e' or are easily na&ea%le: goo -%a + happy-sa + intro4ert-extra4ert+ 2lo!res$entin$an es$ent.... B!t they nee notB They $an %e !nna&e . Ba%ies+ e4en ani&als+ ha4e $onstr!$ts: 2oo -9-li<e 4s. 2oo -9-spit-o!t+ anger 4s. sa2ety+ ;o&&y 4s. stranger. Pro%a%ly+ &ost o2 o!r $onstr!$ts are non-+er0!(. Thin< o2 all the ha%its that yo! ha4e that yo! on=t na&e+ s!$h as the etaile &o4e&ents in4ol4e in ri4ing a $ar. Thin< a%o!t the things yo! re$ogni3e %!t on=t na&e+ s!$h as the 2or&ation C!st %eneath yo!r nose? I9t=s $alle a philtr!&.J Or thin< a%o!t all the s!%tleties o2 a 2eeling li<e A2alling in lo4e.A This is as $lose as Kelly $o&es to isting!ishing a $ons$io!s an an !n$ons$io!s &in : Constr!$ts with na&es are &ore easily tho!ght a%o!t. They are $ertainly &ore easily tal<e a%o!tB 9t=s as i2 a na&e is a han le %y whi$h yo! $an gra% onto a $onstr!$t+ &o4e it aro!n + show it to others+ an so on. 6n yet a $onstr!$t that has no na&e is still Athere+A an $an ha4e e4ery %it as great an e22e$t on yo!r li2eB So&eti&es+ altho!gh a $onstr!$t has na&es+ we preten to o!rsel4es that one pole oesn=t really re2er to anything or any%o y. 5or exa&ple+ a person &ight say that there aren=t any tr!ly %a people in the worl . Kelly wo!l say that he or she has 'u0,er ed this pole E so&ething si&ilar to repression. 9t &ight %e+ yo! see+ that 2or this person to a$<nowle ge the &eaning2!lness o2 A%a A wo!l re@!ire the& to a$<nowle ge a lot &ore: Perhaps &o& wo!l ha4e to %e la%ele %a + or a + or &eB :ather than a &it so&ething li<e this+ he or she wo!l rather stop !sing the $onstr!$t. Sa ly+ the $onstr!$t is still there+ an shows !p in the person=s %eha4iors an 2eelings. One &ore i22erentiation Kelly &a<es in regar s to $onstr!$ts is %etween peripheral an $ore $onstr!$ts. &eri"#er!( $onstr!$ts are &ost $onstr!$ts a%o!t the worl + others+ an e4en one=s sel2. 1ore $onstr!$ts+ on the other han + are the $onstr!$ts that are &ost signi2i$ant to yo!+ that to one extent or another a$t!ally e2ine who yo! are. >rite own the 2irst )- or ,- a Ce$ti4es that o$$!r to yo! a%o!t yo!rsel2 E these &ay 4ery well represent $ore $onstr!$ts. Core $onstr!$ts is the $losest Kelly $o&es to tal<ing a%o!t a sel2.

%#e or !ni2!tion coro((!r$

AEa$h person $hara$teristi$ally e4ol4es+ 2or his $on4enien$e in anti$ipating e4ents+ a $onstr!$tion syste& e&%ra$ing or inal relationships %etween $onstr!$ts.A Constr!$ts are not C!st 2loating aro!n !n$onne$te . 92 they were+ yo! wo!l n=t %e a%le to !se one pie$e o2 in2or&ation to get to another E yo! wo!l n=t %e a%le to anti$ipateB >hen yo! are tal<e into a %lin ate+ an yo!r 2rien spen s a great eal o2 energy trying to $on4in$e yo! that the person yo! will %e going o!t with has a great personality+ yo! <now+ yo! C!st <now+ that they will t!rn o!t to loo< li<e M!asi&o o. 8ow o yo! get 2ro& Agreat personalityA to AM!asi&o o?A Organi3ationB So&e $onstr!$ts are 'u0ordin!te to+ or A!n er+A other $onstr!$ts. There are two 4ersions o2 this. 5irst+ there=s a taxono&i$ <in o2 s!%or ination+ li<e the AtreesA o2 ani&al or plant li2e yo! learne in high s$hool
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

%iology. There are li4ing things 4s. non-li4ing things+ 2or exa&pleH s!%or inate to li4ing things are+ say+ plants 4s. ani&alsH !n er plants+ there &ight %e trees 4s. 2lowersH !n er trees+ there &ight %e $oni2ers 4s. e$i !o!s treesH an so on. ;in yo!+ these are personal $onstr!$ts+ not s$ienti2i$ $onstr!$ts+ an so this is a personal taxono&y as well. 9t &ay %e the sa&e as the s$ienti2i$ one in yo!r %iology text%oo<+ or it &ight not %e. 9 still ten to ha4e a spe$ies o2 $oni2er $alle Christ&as trees. animals plants | flowers trees | deciduous conifers | Christmas trees others There is also a e2initional <in o2 s!%or ination+ $alle con'te((!tion. This in4ol4es sta$<s o2 $onstr!$ts+ with all their poles aligne . 5or exa&ple+ %eneath the $onstr!$t $oni2ers 4s. e$i !o!s trees+ we &ay 2in so2t-woo 4s. har -woo + nee le-%earing 4s. lea2-%earing+ $one-%earing 4s. 2lower-%earing+ an so on. conifers | soft-wood | needle-bearing | cone-bearing deciduous | hard-wood | leaf-bearing | flower-bearing

This is also the %asis 2or stereotyping: A>eA are goo + $lean+ s&art+ &oral+ et$.+ while AtheyA are %a + irty+ !&%+ i&&oral+ et$. ;any $onstr!$ts+ o2 $o!rse+ are in epen ent o2 ea$h other. Plants-ani&als is inde"endent o2 2lo!res$entin$an es$ent+ to gi4e an o%4io!s exa&ple. So&eti&es+ the relationship %etween two $onstr!$ts is 4ery ti #t. 92 one $onstr!$t is $onsistently !se to pre i$t another+ yo! ha4e tight $onstr!$tion. PreC! i$e wo!l %e an exa&ple: 6s soon as yo! ha4e a la%el 2or so&eone+ yo! a!to&ati$ally ass!&e other things a%o!t that person as well. Do! AC!&p to $on$l!sions.A >hen we A oA s$ien$e+ we nee to !se tight $onstr!$tion. >e $all this Arigoro!s thin<ing+A an it is a goo thing. >ho+ a2ter all+ wo!l want an engineer to %!il %ri ges !sing s$ienti2i$ r!les that only &ay%e wor<. People who thin< o2 the&sel4es as realisti$ o2ten pre2er tight $onstr!$tion. B!t it is a s&all step 2ro& rigoro!s an realisti$ to rigi . 6n this rigi ity $an %e$o&e pathologi$al+ so that an o%sessi4e-$o&p!lsi4e person has to o things AC!st soA or %rea< o!t in anxiety. On the other han + so&eti&es the relationship %etween $onstr!$ts is le2t (oo'e: There is a $onne$tion+ %!t it is not a%sol!te+ not @!ite ne$essary. Loose $onstr!$tion is a &ore 2lexi%le way o2 !sing $onstr!$ts. >hen we go to another $o!ntry+ 2or exa&ple+ with so&e pre$on$eptions a%o!t the people. These pre$on$eptions wo!l %e preC! i$ial stereotypes+ i2 we $onstr!e the& tightly. B!t i2 we !se the& loosely+ they &erely help !s to %eha4e &ore appropriately in their $!lt!re.
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

>e !se loose $onstr!$tion when we 2antasi3e an rea&+ when anti$ipations are %ro<en 2reely an o $o&%inations are per&itte . 8owe4er+ i2 we !se loose $onstr!$tion too o2ten an inappropriately+ we appear 2la<y rather than 2lexi%le. Ta<en 2ar eno!gh+ loose $onstr!$tion will lan yo! in an instit!tion. The cre!ti+it$ c$c(e &a<es !se o2 these i eas. >hen we are %eing $reati4e+ we 2irst loosen o!r $onstr!$tions E 2antasi3ing an %rainstor&ing alternati4e $onstr!$tions. >hen we 2in a no4el $onstr!$tion that loo<s li<e it has so&e potential+ we 2o$!s on it an tighten it !p. >e !se the $reati4ity $y$le Io%4io!slyJ in the arts. 5irst we loosen !p an get $reati4e in the si&plest senseH then tighten things !p an gi4e o!r $reations s!%stan$e. >e $on$ei4e the i ea+ then gi4e it 2or&. >e !se the $reati4ity $y$le in therapy+ too. >e let go o2 o!r !ns!$$ess2!l &o els o2 reality+ let o!r $onstr!$ts ri2t+ 2in a no4el $on2ig!ration+ p!ll it into &ore rigoro!s shape+ an try it o!tB >e=ll get %a$< to this later.

%#e r!n e coro((!r$

A6 $onstr!$t is $on4enient 2or the anti$ipation o2 a 2inite range o2 e4ents only.A Go $onstr!$t is !se2!l 2or e4erything. The gen er $onstr!$t I&ale-2e&aleJ is+ 2or &ost o2 !s+ so&ething o2 i&portan$e only with people an a 2ew higher ani&als s!$h as o!r pets an $attle. 5ew o2 !s $are what sex 2lies are+ or li3ar s+ or e4en ar&a illos. 6n no-one+ 9 thin<+ applies gen er to geologi$al 2or&ations or politi$al parties. These things are %eyon the r!n e o/ con+enience o2 the gen er $onstr!$t. So&e $onstr!$ts are 4ery co,"re#en'i+e+ or %roa in appli$ation. Goo -%a is perhaps the &ost $o&prehensi4e $onstr!$t o2 all+ %eing appli$a%le to nearly anything. Other $onstr!$ts are 4ery incident!(+ or narrow. 5lo!res$ent-in$an es$ent is 2airly narrow+ appli$a%le only to light %!l%s. B!t noti$e that what is relati4ely narrow 2or yo! &ight %e relati4ely %roa 2or &e. 6 %iologist will %e intereste in the gen er o2 2lies+ li3ar s+ ar&a illos+ apple trees+ philo en ra+ an so on. Or a philosopher &ay restri$t his or her !se o2 goo -%a to spe$i2i$ally &oral %eha4iors+ rather than to all <in s o2 things+ people+ or %elie2s.

%#e ,odu(!tion coro((!r$

AThe 4ariation in a person=s $onstr!$tion syste& is li&ite %y the per&ea%ility o2 the $onstr!$ts within whose range o2 $on4enien$e the 4ariants lie.A So&e $onstr!$ts are Aspringy+A they A&o !late+A they are "er,e!0(e+ whi$h &eans that they are open to in$rease range. Other $onstr!$ts are relati4ely i&per&ea%le. 5or exa&ple+ goo -%a is generally @!ite per&ea%le 2or &ost o2 !s. >e are always a ing new ele&ents: >e &ay ne4er ha4e seen a $o&p!ter %e2ore+ or a CD player+ or a 2ax &a$hine+ %!t as soon as we ha4e+ we want to <now the %est %ran to %!y. Li<ewise+ a person who will loo< aro!n 2or a ro$< i2 a ha&&er is not a4aila%le !ses the $onstr!$t $on$erning Athings to ha&&er withA in a per&ea%le 2ashion. On the other han + 2lo!res$ent-in$an es$ent is relati4ely i,"er,e!0(e: 9t $an %e !se 2or lighting+ %!t little else is li<ely to e4er %e a &itte . 6n people who won=t let yo! sit on ta%les are <eeping their sit-!pon $onstr!$ts @!ite i&per&ea%le. 9n $ase this see&s li<e another way o2 tal<ing a%o!t in$i ental 4s. $o&prehensi4e $onstr!$ts+ note that yo! $an ha4e $o&prehensi4e %!t i&per&ea%le $onstr!$ts+ s!$h as the one expresse %y the person who says A>hate4er happene to the goo ol ays? There C!st on=t see& to %e any honest people aro!n any&ore.A 9n other wor s+ honesty+ tho!gh %roa + is now $lose . 6n there are in$i ental $onstr!$ts !se per&ea%ly+ s!$h as when yo! say A&y+ %!t yo!=re loo<ing in$an es$ent to ayBA Per&ea%ility is the 4ery so!l o2 poetryB
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

>hen there is no &ore Astret$h+A no &ore Agi4eA in the range o2 the $onstr!$ts yo! are !sing+ yo! &ay ha4e to resort to &ore rasti$ &eas!res. )i(!tion is when yo! %roa en the range o2 yo!r $onstr!$ts. Let=s say yo! on=t %elie4e in ESP. Do! wal< into a party an s! enly yo! hear a 4oi$e in yo!r hea an noti$e so&eone s&iling <nowingly at yo! 2ro& a$ross the roo&B Do! wo!l ha4e to rather @!i$<ly stret$h the range o2 the $onstr!$ts in4ol4ing ESP+ whi$h ha %een 2ille + !p to now+ with nothing %!t a 2ew hoaxes. On the other han + so&eti&es e4ents 2or$e yo! to narrow the range o2 yo!r $onstr!$ts e@!ally ra&ati$ally. This is $alle con'triction. 6n exa&ple &ight %e when+ a2ter a li2eti&e o2 %elie4ing that people were &oral $reat!res+ yo! experien$e the realities o2 war. The $onstr!$t in$l! ing A&oralA &ay shrin< o!t o2 existen$e. Goti$e that ilation an $onstri$tion are rather e&otional things. Do! $an easily !n erstan epression an &ani$ states this way. The &ani$ person has ilate a set o2 $onstr!$ts a%o!t his or her happiness enor&o!sly+ an sho!ts A9=4e ne4er i&agine that li2e $o!l %e li<e this %e2oreBA So&eone who is epresse + on the other han + has ta<en the $onstr!$ts that relate to li2e an goo things to o with it an $onstri$te the& own to sitting alone in the ar<.

%#e c#oice coro((!r$

A6 person $hooses 2or hi&sel2 that alternati4e in a i$hoto&i3e $onstr!$t thro!gh whi$h he anti$ipates the greater possi%ility 2or extension an e2inition o2 his syste&.A >ith all these $onstr!$ts+ an all these poles+ how o we $hose o!r %eha4iors? Kelly says that we will $hoose to o what we anti$ipate will &ost li<ely e(!0or!te o!r $onstr!$tion syste&+ that is+ i&pro4e o!r !n erstan ing+ o!r a%ility to anti$ipate. :eality pla$es li&its on what we $an experien$e or o+ %!t we $hoose how to $onstr!e+ or interpret+ that reality. 6n we $hoose to interpret that reality in whate4er way we %elie4e will help !s the &ost. Co&&only+ o!r $hoi$es are %etween an a 4ent!ro!s alternati4e an a sa2e one. >e $o!l try to exten o!r !n erstan ing o2+ say+ h!&an heterosex!al intera$tion IpartyingJ %y &a<ing the !d+enturou' $hoi$e o2 going to &ore parties+ getting to <now &ore people+ e4eloping &ore relationships+ an so on. On the other han + we &ight pre2er to e2ine o!r !n erstan ing %y &a<ing the 'ecurit$ $hoi$e: staying ho&e+ pon ering what &ight ha4e gone wrong with that last !ns!$$ess2!l relationship+ or getting to <now one person %etter. >hi$h one yo! $hoose will epen on whi$h one yo! thin< yo! nee . >ith all this $hoosing going on+ yo! &ight expe$t that Kelly has ha so&ething to say a%o!t 2ree will 4s. eter&inis&. 8e has+ an what he has to say is 4ery interesting: 8e sees 2ree o& as %eing a relati4e $on$ept. >e are not A2reeA or A!n2reeHA So&e o2 !s are 2ree-er than othersH >e are 2ree-er in so&e sit!ations than in othersH >e are 2ree-er 2ro& so&e 2or$es than 2ro& othersH 6n we are 2ree-er !n er so&e $onstr!$tions than !n er others.

%#e indi+idu!(it$ coro((!r$

APersons i22er 2ro& ea$h other in their $onstr!$tion o2 e4ents.A Sin$e e4eryone has i22erent experien$es+ e4eryone=s $onstr!$tion o2 reality is i22erent. :e&e&%er+ he $alls his theory the theory o2 personal $onstr!$ts. Kelly oes not appro4e o2 $lassi2i$ation syste&s+ personality types+ or personality tests. 8is own 2a&o!s Arep test+A as yo! will see+ is not a test in the tra itional sense at all.

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%#e co,,on!(it$ coro((!r$

ATo the extent that one person e&ploys a $onstr!$tion o2 experien$e whi$h is si&ilar to that e&ploye %y another+ his psy$hologi$al pro$esses are si&ilar to the other person.A K!st %e$a!se we are all i22erent oesn=t &ean we $an=t %e si&ilar. 92 o!r $onstr!$tion syste& E o!r !n erstan ing o2 reality E is si&ilar+ so will %e o!r experien$es+ o!r %eha4iors+ an o!r 2eelings. 5or exa&ple+ i2 we share the sa&e $!lt!re+ we=ll see things in a si&ilar way+ an the $loser we are+ the &ore si&ilar we=ll %e. 9n 2a$t+ Kelly says that we spen a great eal o2 o!r ti&e see<ing +!(id!tion 2ro& other people. 6 &an sitting hi&sel2 own at the lo$al %ar an sighing Awo&enBA oes so with the expe$tation that his neigh%or at the %ar will respon with the s!pport o2 his worl 4iew he is at that &o&ent esperately in nee o2: ADeah+ wo&enB Do! $an=t li4e with =e& an yo! $an=t li4e witho!t =e&.A The sa&e s$enario applies+ with appropriate alterations+ to wo&en. 6n si&ilar s$enarios apply as well to <in ergarten $hil ren+ a oles$ent gangs+ the <lan+ politi$al parties+ s$ienti2i$ $on2eren$es+ an so on. >e loo< 2or s!pport 2ro& those who are si&ilar to o!rsel4es. Only they $an <now how we tr!ly 2eelB

%#e /r! ,ent!tion coro((!r$

A6 person &ay s!$$essi4ely e&ploy a 4ariety o2 $onstr!$tion s!%syste&s whi$h are in2erentially in$o&pati%le with ea$h other.A The /r! ,ent!tion coro((!r$ says that we $an %e in$onsistent within o!rsel4es. 9t is+ in 2a$t+ a rare person who Ahas it all togetherA an 2!n$tions+ at all ti&es in all pla$es+ as a !ni2ie personality. Gearly all o2 !s+ 2or exa&ple+ ha4e i22erent roles that we play in li2e: 9 a& a &an+ a h!s%an + a 2ather+ a son+ a pro2essorH 9 a& so&eone with $ertain ethni$+ religio!s+ politi$al+ an philosophi$al i enti2i$ationsH so&eti&es 9=& a patient+ or a g!est+ or a host+ or a $!sto&er. 6n 9 a& not @!ite the sa&e in these 4ario!s roles. O2ten the roles are separate %y $ir$!&stan$es. 6 &an &ight %e a $op at night+ an a$t to!gh+ a!thoritarian+ e22i$ient. B!t in the ayti&e+ he &ight %e a 2ather+ an a$t gentle+ ten er+ a22e$tionate. Sin$e the $ir$!&stan$es are <ept apart+ the roles on=t $o&e into $on2li$t. B!t hea4en 2or%i the &an 2in s hi&sel2 in the sit!ation o2 ha4ing to arrest his own $hil B Or a parent &ay %e seen treating a $hil li<e an a !lt one &in!te+ s$ol ing her the next+ an h!gging her li<e a %a%y the 2ollowing &in!te. 6n o%ser4er &ight 2rown at the in$onsisten$y. Det+ 2or &ost people+ these in$onsisten$ies are integrate at higher le4els: The parent &ay %e in ea$h $ase expressing his or her lo4e an $on$ern 2or the $hil =s well-%eing. So&e o2 Kelly=s 2ollowers ha4e reintro !$e an ol i ea to the st! y o2 personality+ that ea$h o2 !s is a co,,unit$ o/ 'e(+e'+ rather than C!st one si&ple sel2. This &ay %e tr!e. 8owe4er+ other theorists wo!l s!ggest that a &ore !ni2ie personality &ight %e healthier+ an a A$o&&!nity o2 sel4esA is a little too $lose to &!ltiple personalities 2or $o&2ortB

%#e 'oci!(it$ coro((!r$

ATo the extent that one person $onstr!es the $onstr!$tion pro$esses o2 another+ he &ay play a role in a so$ial pro$ess in4ol4ing the other person.A E4en i2 yo! are not really si&ilar to another person+ yo! $an still relate to the&. Do! $an+ in 2a$t+ A$onstr!e how another $onstr!es+A Apsy$h hi& o!t+A Aget insi e her hea +A Asee where he=s $o&ing 2ro&+A an A<now what she &eans.A 9n other wor s+ 9 $an set asi e a portion o2 &ysel2 I&a e possi%le thro!gh the
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

2rag&entation $orollaryJ to A%eA so&eone else. This is an i&portant part o2 ro(e "(!$in + %e$a!se+ whene4er yo! play a role+ yo! play it to or with so&eone+ so&eone yo! nee to !n erstan in or er to relate to. Kelly tho!ght this was so i&portant he al&ost $alle his theory role theory+ ex$ept that the na&e ha alrea y %een ta<en. These i eas+ in 2a$t+ $a&e 2ro& the s$hool o2 tho!ght in so$iology 2o!n e %y George 8er%ert ;ea .

3ee(in '
The theory so 2ar presente &ay so!n 4ery $ogniti4e+ with all its e&phasis on $onstr!$ts an $onstr!$tions+ an &any people ha4e sai so as their pri&ary $riti$is& o2 Kelly=s theory. 9n 2a$t+ Kelly isli<e %eing $alle a $ogniti4e theorist. 8e 2elt that his Apro2essional $onstr!$tsA in$l! e the &ore tra itional i eas o2 per$eption+ %eha4ior+ an e&otion+ as well as $ognition. So to say he oesn=t tal< a%o!t e&otions+ 2or exa&ple+ is to &iss the point altogether. >hat yo! an 9 wo!l $all e&otions Ior a22e$t+ or 2eelingsJ Kelly $alle con'truct' o/ tr!n'ition+ %e$a!se they re2er to the experien$es we ha4e when we &o4e 2ro& one way o2 loo<ing at the worl or o!rsel4es to another. >hen yo! are s! enly aware that yo!r $onstr!$ts aren=t 2!n$tioning well+ yo! 2eel !nxiet$. Do! are Ias Kelly sai J A$a!ght with yo!r $onstr!$ts own.A 9t $an %e anything 2ro& yo!r $he$<%oo< not %alan$ing+ to 2orgetting so&eone=s na&e !ring intro !$tions+ to an !nexpe$te hall!$inogeni$ trip+ to 2orgetting yo!r own na&e. >hen anti$ipations 2ail+ yo! 2eel anxiety. 92 yo!=4e ta<en a so$ial psy$hology $o!rse+ yo! &ight re$ogni3e the $on$ept as %eing 4ery si&ilar to $ogniti4e issonan$e. >hen the anxiety in4ol4es anti$ipations o2 great $hanges $o&ing to yo!r $ore $onstr!$ts E the ones o2 greatest i&portan$e to yo! E it %e$o&es a t#re!t. 5or exa&ple+ yo! are not 2eeling well. Do! thin< it &ight %e so&ething serio!s. Do! go to the o$tor. 8e loo<s. 8e sha<es his hea . 8e loo<s again. 8e gets sole&n. 8e $alls in a $olleag!e.... This is Athreat.A >e also 2eel it when we gra !ate+ get &arrie + %e$o&e parents 2or the 2irst ti&e+ when roller $oasters lea4e the tra$<+ an !ring therapy. >hen yo! o things that are not in <eeping with yo!r $ore $onstr!$ts E with yo!r i ea o2 who yo! are an how yo! sho!l %eha4e E yo! 2eel ui(t. This is a no4el an !se2!l e2inition o2 g!ilt+ %e$a!se it in$l! es sit!ations that people <now to %e g!ilt-ri en an yet on=t &eet the !s!al $riterion o2 %eing in so&e way i&&oral. 92 yo!r $hil 2alls into a &anhole+ it &ay not %e yo!r 2a!lt+ %!t yo! will 2eel g!ilty+ %e$a!se it 4iolates yo!r %elie2 that it is yo!r !ty as a parent to pre4ent a$$i ents li<e this. Si&ilarly+ $hil ren o2ten 2eel g!ilty when a parent gets si$<+ or when parents i4or$e. 6n when a $ri&inal oes so&ething o!t o2 $hara$ter+ so&ething the rest o2 the worl &ight $onsi er goo + he 2eels g!ilty a%o!t itB >e ha4e tal<e a lot a%o!t a apting to the worl when o!r $onstr!$ts on=t &at$h !p with reality+ %!t there is another way: Do! $an try to &a<e reality &at$h !p with yo!r $onstr!$ts. Kelly $alls this ! re''ion. 9t in$l! es aggression proper: 92 so&eone ins!lts &y tie+ 9 $an p!n$h his lights o!t+ in whi$h $ase 9 $an wear &y tie in pea$e. B!t it also in$l! es things we &ight to ay pre2er to $all asserti4eness: So&eti&es things are not as they sho!l %e+ an we sho!l $hange the& to 2it o!r i eals. >itho!t asserti4eness+ there wo!l %e no so$ial progressB 6gain+ when o!r $ore $onstr!$ts are on the line+ aggression &ay %e$o&e #o'ti(it$. 8ostility is a &atter o2 insisting that yo!r $onstr!$ts are 4ali + espite o4erwhel&ing e4i en$e to the $ontrary. Exa&ples &ight in$l! e an el erly %oxer still $lai&ing to %e Athe greatest+A a ner who tr!ly %elie4es he=s a Don K!an+ or a person in therapy who esperately resists a$<nowle ging that there e4en is a pro%le&.

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

&'$c#o"!t#o(o $ !nd %#er!"$

This %rings !s ni$ely to Kelly=s e2inition o2 a "'$c#o(o ic!( di'order: A6ny personal $onstr!$tion whi$h is !se repeate ly in spite o2 $onsistent in4ali ation.A The %eha4iors an tho!ghts o2 ne!rosis+ epression+ paranoia+ s$hi3ophrenia+ et$.+ are all exa&ples. So are patterns o2 4iolen$e+ %igotry+ $ri&inality+ gree + a i$tion+ an so on. The person $an no longer anti$ipate well+ yet $an=t see& to learn new ways o2 relating to the worl . 8e or she is loa e with anxiety an hostility+ is !nhappy an is &a<ing e4eryone else !nhappy+ too. 92 a person=s pro%le& is poor $onstr!$tion+ then the sol!tion sho!l %e recon'truction+ a ter& Kelly was te&pte to !se 2or his style o2 therapy. Psy$hotherapy in4ol4es getting the $lient to re$onstr!e+ to see things in a i22erent way+ 2ro& a new perspe$ti4e+ one that allows the $hoi$es that lea to ela%oration. Kellian therapists essentially as< their $lients to Coin the& in a series o2 ex"eri,ent' $on$erning the $lients= li2e styles. They &ay as< their $lients to loosen their $onstr!$ts+ to slip the& aro!n + to test the&+ to tighten the& !p again+ to Atry the& on 2or si3e.A The intent is to en$o!rage ,o+e,ent+ essential 2or any progress. Kelly+ with his %a$<gro!n in ra&a+ li<e to !se ro(e-"(!$in Ior en!ct,entJ to en$o!rage &o4e&ent. 8e &ight ta<e the part o2 yo!r &other an ha4e yo! express yo!r 2eelings. 62ter a while+ he &ight as< yo! to re4erse roles with hi& E yo! %e yo!r &other+ an he=ll %e yo!B 9n this way+ yo! %e$o&e aware o2 yo!r own $onstr!$tion o2 yo!r relationship an yo!r &other=s $onstr!$tion. Perhaps yo! will %egin to !n erstan her+ or see ways in whi$h yo! &ight a apt. Do! &ay $o&e to a $o&pro&ise+ or is$o4er an entirely new perspe$ti4e that rises a%o4e %oth. Kelly=s therapy o2ten in4ol4es #o,e-4or5+ things he wo!l as< yo! to o o!tsi e the therapy sit!ation. 8is %est <nown te$hni@!e is $alle /ixed-ro(e t#er!"$. 5irst+ he as<s yo! 2or a es$ription o2 yo!rsel2+ a $o!ple o2 pages in the thir person+ whi$h he $alls the c#!r!cter '5etc#. Then he $onstr!$ts+ perhaps with the help o2 a $olleag!e+ another es$ription+ $alle the /ixed-ro(e '5etc#+ o2 a preten person. 8e writes this s<et$h %y exa&ining yo!r original s<et$h $are2!lly an !sing $onstr!$ts that are Aat right anglesA to the $onstr!$ts yo! !se . This &eans that the new $onstr!$ts are in epen ent o2 the original ones+ %!t they are !se in a si&ilar way+ that is+ they re2er to the sa&e range o2 ele&ents. 92+ 2or exa&ple+ 9 !se geni!s-i iot as a $onstr!$t in ealing with people+ 9 on=t gi4e the& a lot o2 roo& to %e so&ewhere in %etween+ an 9 on=t allow &!$h 2or $hange. 6n + sin$e we !se the sa&e $onstr!$ts on o!rsel4es as we !se 2or others+ 9 on=t gi4e &ysel2 &!$h sla$< either. On a really goo ay+ 9 &ight $all &ysel2 a geni!s. On &ost ays+ 9= ha4e no $hoi$e+ i2 9 !se s!$h a ra&ati$ $onstr!$t+ %!t to $all &ysel2 an i iot. 6n i iots stay i iotsH they on=t t!rn into geni!ses. So+ 9= %e setting &ysel2 !p 2or epression+ not to &ention 2or a li2e with 4ery 2ew 2rien s. Kelly &ight write a 2ixe -role s<et$h with a $onstr!$t li<e s<ille -!ns<ille . This is a &!$h &ore Ah!&aneA $onstr!$t than geni!s-i iot. 9t is &!$h less C! g&ental: 6 person $an+ a2ter all+ %e s<ille in one area+ yet !ns<ille in another. 6n it allows 2or $hange: 92 9 2in that 9 a& !ns<ille in so&e area o2 i&portan$e+ 9 $an+ with a little e22ort+ %e$o&e s<ille . 6nyway+ Kelly wo!l then as< his $lient to %e the person es$ri%e in the 2ixe -role s<et$h 2or a wee< or two. ;in yo!+ this is a 2!ll ti&e $o&&it&ent: 8e wants yo! to %e this person ,0 ho!rs a ay+ at wor<+ at ho&e+ e4en when yo!=re alone. Kelly 2o!n that &ost people are @!ite goo at this+ an e4en enCoy it. 62ter all+ this person is !s!ally &!$h healthier than they areB Sho!l the $lient $o&e %a$< an say AThan< yo!+ o$B 9 %elie4e 9=& $!re . 6ll 9 nee to o now is %e ADa4eA instea o2 AGeorgeA 2or the rest o2 &y li2e+A Kelly wo!l ha4e a s!rprise in store: 8e &ight as< that person to play another 2ixe -role 2or a $o!ple o2 wee<s+ one that &ight not %e so positi4e. That=s %e$a!se the intent o2 this play-a$ting is not that the therapist gi4e yo! a new personality. That wo!l @!i$<ly $o&e to nothing. The i ea is to show yo! that yo! o+ in 2a$t+ ha4e the power to $hange+ to A$hoose yo!rsel2.A

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

Kellian therapy has+ as its goal+ opening people !p to alternati4es+ helping the& to is$o4er their 2ree o&+ allowing the& to li4e !p to their potentials. 5or this reason+ an &any others+ Kelly 2its &ost appropriately a&ong the h!&anisti$ psy$hologists.

6''e'',ent
Perhaps the thing &ost asso$iate with George Kelly is his ro(e con'truct re"ertor$ te't+ whi$h &ost people now $all the re" rid. Got a test in the tra itional sense at all+ it is a iagnosti$+ sel2- is$o4ery+ an resear$h tool that has a$t!ally %e$o&e &ore 2a&o!s than the rest o2 his theory.

5irst+ the $lient na&es a set o2 ten to twenty people+ $alle e(e,ent'+ li<ely to %e o2 so&e i&portan$e to the person=s li2e. 9n therapy+ these people are na&e in response to $ertain s!ggesti4e $ategories+ s!$h as Apast lo4erA an Aso&eone yo! pity+A an wo!l nat!rally in$l! e yo!rsel2+ yo!r &other an 2ather+ an so on. The therapist or resear$her then pi$<s o!t three o2 these at a ti&e+ an as<s yo! to tell hi& or her whi$h o2 the three are si&ilar+ an whi$h one is i22erent. 6n he as<s yo! to gi4e hi& so&ething to $all the si&ilarity an the i22eren$e. The si&ilarity la%el is $alle the 'i,i(!rit$ "o(e+ an the i22eren$e one is $alle the contr!'t "o(e+ an together they &a<e !p one o2 the $onstr!$ts yo! !se in so$ial relations. 92+ 2or exa&ple+ yo! say that yo! an yo!r present lo4er are %oth ner4o!s people+ %!t yo!r 2or&er lo4er was 4ery $al&+ then ner4o!s is the si&ilarity pole an $al& the $ontrast pole o2 the $onstr!$t ner4o!s-$al&. Do! $ontin!e in this 2ashion+ with i22erent $o&%inations o2 three+ !ntil yo! get a%o!t twenty $ontrasts liste . By eye%alling the list+ or %y per2or&ing $ertain statisti$al operations on a $o&plete $hart+ the list &ight %e narrowe own to ten or so $ontrasts %y eli&inating o4erlaps: O2ten+ o!r $onstr!$ts + e4en tho!gh they ha4e i22erent wor s atta$he to the&+ are !se in the sa&e way. Ger4o!s-$al&+ 2or exa&ple+ &ay %e !se exa$tly li<e yo! !se ne!roti$-healthy or Cittery-passi4e. 9n iagnosis an sel2- is$o4ery !ses+ yo! are+ o2 $o!rse+ en$o!rage to !se $onstr!$ts that re2er to people=s %eha4iors an personalities. B!t in resear$h !ses+ yo! &ay %e as<e to gi4e any <in o2 $onstr!$ts at all+ an yo! &ay %e as<e to gi4e the& in response to all sorts o2 ele&ents. 9n in !strial psy$hology+ 2or exa&ple+ people ha4e %een as<e to $o&pare an $ontrast 4ario!s pro !$ts I2or &ar<eting analysesJ+ goo an %a exa&ples o2 a pro !$t I2or @!ality $ontrol analysesJ+ or i22erent lea ership styles. Do! $an 2in yo!r &!si$al style $onstr!$ts this way+ or yo!r $onstr!$ts a%o!t politi$al 2ig!res+ or the $onstr!$ts yo! !se to !n erstan
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

personality theories. 9n therapy+ the rep gri gi4es the therapist an the $lient a pi$t!re o2 the $lient=s 4iew o2 reality that $an %e is$!sse an wor<e with. 9n &arriage therapy+ two people $an wor< on the gri with the sa&e set o2 ele&ents+ an their $onstr!$ts $o&pare an is$!sse . 9t isn=t sa$re : The rep gri is rare a&ong AtestsA in that the $lient is in4ite to $hange his or her &in a%o!t it at any ti&e. Geither is it ass!&e to %e a $o&plete pi$t!re o2 a person=s &ental state. 9t is what it is: a iagnosti$ tool. 9n resear$h+ we $an ta<e a 4antage o2 a n!&%er o2 $o&p!ter progra&s that allow 2or a A&eas!re&entA o2 the istan$es %etween $onstr!$ts or %etween ele&ents. >e get a pi$t!re+ $reate %y the people the&sel4es+ o2 their worl -4iews. >e $an $o&pare the 4iews o2 se4eral people Ias long as they !se the sa&e ele&entsJ. >e $an $o&pare a person=s worl -4iew %e2ore an a2ter training+ or therapy. 9t is an ex$iting tool+ an !n!s!al $o&%ination o2 the s!%Ce$ti4e an o%Ce$ti4e si e o2 personality resear$h. 5or &ore in2or&ation on the :ep Gri + see The M!alitati4e ;etho s >or<%oo< IPart 5i4eJB

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

)i'cu''ion
Kelly p!%lishe %#e &'$c#o(o $ o/ &er'on!( 1on'truct' in )*11. 62ter a %rie2 2l!rry o2 interest Ian $onsi era%le $riti$is&J+ he an his theory were pretty &!$h 2orgotten+ ex$ept %y a 2ew loyal st! ents+ &ost o2 who& were in4ol4e &ore in their $lini$al pra$ti$es than in the a 4an$e&ent o2 the psy$hology o2 personality. C!rio!sly+ his theory $ontin!e to ha4e a &o est notoriety in Englan + parti$!larly a&ong in !strial psy$hologists. The reasons 2or this la$< o2 attention are not har to 2atho&: The As$ien$eA %ran$h o2 psy$hology was at that ti&e still rather &ire in a %eha4iorist approa$h to psy$hology that ha little patien$e with the s!%Ce$ti4e si e o2 thingsH 6n the $lini$al si e o2 psy$hology 2o!n people li<e Carl :ogers &!$h easier to 2ollow. Kelly was a goo ,- years ahea o2 his ti&e. Only re$ently+ with the so-$alle A$ogniti4e re4ol!tion+A are people really rea y to !n erstan hi&. 9t is ironi$ that George Kelly+ always tr!e to his philosophy o2 $onstr!$ti4e alternati4is&+ 2elt that+ i2 his theory were still aro!n in ten or twenty years+ in a 2or& signi2i$antly li<e the original+ there wo!l %e $a!se 2or $on$ern. Theories+ li<e o!r in i4i !al 4iews o2 reality+ sho!l $hange+ not re&ain stati$. There are legiti&ate $riti$is&s. 5irst+ altho!gh Kelly is a 4ery goo writer+ he $hose to rein4ent psy$hology 2ro& the gro!n !p+ intro !$ing a new set o2 ter&s an a new set o2 &etaphors an i&ages. 6n he went o!t o2 his way to a4oi %eing asso$iate with other approa$hes to the 2iel . This ine4ita%ly alienate hi& 2ro& the &ainstrea&. 9n a &ore positi4e 4ein+ so&e o2 the wor s he in4ente are now 2ir&ly 2ixe in &ainstrea& psy$hology Ialtho!gh &any still thin< o2 the& as Atren yBAJ: 6nti$ipation has %een &a e pop!lar %y the 2a&o!s $ogniti4e psy$hologist Flri$ GeisserH Constr!$t+ $onstr!$tion+ $onstr!al+ an all its 4ariations $an %e 2o!n in %oo<s an arti$les right alongsi e o2 wor s li<e per$eption an %eha4ior. Sa ly+ Kelly+ C!st li<e other inno4ators+ sel o& gets any $re it 2or 2or his inno4ations+ &ostly %e$a!se psy$hologists are rarely traine to pay &!$h attention to where i eas $o&e 2ro&. The Arep gri A has also %e$o&e @!ite pop!lar+ espe$ially sin$e $o&p!ters ha4e &a e it &!$h easier to !se. 6s 9 &entione %e2ore+ it is a ni$e %len o2 the @!alitati4e an the introspe$ti4e that e4en $riti$s o2 Kelly=s o4erall theory ha4e a har ti&e 2in ing 2a!lt with.

1onnection'
;!$h o2 Personal Constr!$t Theory is pheno&enologi$al. Kelly a$<nowle ge his sy&pathies with the pheno&enologi$al theories o2 Carl :ogers+ Donal Snygg an 6rth!r Co&%s+ an the Asel2-theoristsA Pres$ott Le$<y an Ni$tor :ai&y. B!t he was s<epti$al o2 pheno&enology per se. Li<e so &any people+ he ass!&e that pheno&enology was so&e <in o2 introspe$ti4e i ealis&. 6s we shall see in later $hapters+ that is a &ista<en ass!&ption. B!t a pheno&enologist wo!l 2in &!$h o2 Kelly=s theory @!ite $ongenial. 5or exa&ple+ Kelly %elie4es that to !n erstan %eha4ior yo! nee to !n erstan how the person $onstr!es reality E i.e. how he or she !n erstan s it+ per$ei4es it E &ore than what that reality tr!ly is. 9n 2a$t+ he points o!t that e4eryone=s 4iew E e4en the har -$ore s$ientist=s E is C!st that: a 4iew. 6n yet he also notes+ e&phati$ally+ that there is no anger here o2 solipsis& Ithe i ea that the worl is only &y i eaJ+ %e$a!se the 4iew has to %e o2 so&ething. This is exa$tly the &eaning o2 the pheno&enologist=s %asi$ prin$iple+ <nown as intentionality. On the other han + there are aspe$ts o2 Kelly=s theory that are not so $ongenial to pheno&enology. 5irst+ he was a tr!e theory-%!il er+ an the te$hni$al etail o2 his theory shows it. Pheno&enologists+ on the other
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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

han + ten to a4oi theory. Se$on + he ha high hopes 2or a rigoro!s &etho ology 2or psy$hology E e4en !sing the experi&ental s$ientist as his A2r!it2!l &etaphor.A ;ost pheno&enologists are &!$h &ore s<epti$al a%o!t experi&entation. The e&phasis on theory-%!il ing+ 2ine etail+ an the hope 2or a rigoro!s &etho ology o &a<e Kelly 4ery appealing to &o ern $ogniti4e psy$hologists. Ti&e will tell whether Kelly will %e re&e&%ere as a pheno&enologist or a $ogniti4istB

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C. George Boeree: Personality Theories George Kelly

Re!din '

The %asi$ re2eren$e 2or George Kelly is the two 4ol!&e &'$c#o(o $ o/ &er'on!( 1on'truct' I)*11J. The 2irst three $hapters are a4aila%le in paper%a$< as 6 %#eor$ o/ &er'on!(it$ I)*./J. 6nother paper%a$<+ written espe$ially 2or the Alayperson+A is Bannister an 5ransella=s In7uirin 8!n9 %#e %#eor$ o/ &er'on!( 1on'truct' I)*#)J. Kelly wrote a n!&%er o2 4ery interesting arti$les as well. ;ost o2 the& are $olle$te into 1(inic!( &'$c#o(o $ !nd &er'on!(it$9 :e(ected "!"er' o/ Geor e Ke(($+ e ite %y Bren an ;aher I)*.*J. There are other $olle$tions o2 wor<s+ %y Kelly an his 2ollowers+ a4aila%le. Loo< espe$ially 2or $olle$tions e ite %y Don Bannister. Lastly+ there is a Kellian Co!rnal+ $alle %#e ;ourn!( o/ &er'on!( 1on'truct &'$c#o(o $. 9t in$l! es theoreti$al an resear$h arti$les %y Kellians an psy$hologists with si&ilar orientations.

18 | 18 ( Copyright )**#+ ,--. C. George Boeree