Psy3051 - Personality - Chpt 11 - Personal Construct Theory

Front 1

What does a construct refer to?

Back 1

it refers to ideas or categories that people use to interpret their world.

Front 2

Kelly's personal construct theory explored in much greater detail the specific cognitive processes through which individuals do what?

Back 2

categorise people and things and construct meaning out of the events of their day.

Front 3

To Kelly an individuals personality can be understood in terms of what?

Back 3

the collection of personal constructs or the personal construct system that he or she uses to interpret the world

Front 4

What are the mental processes through which people apply their constructs to the interpretation of daily event?

Back 4

cognitive processes

Front 5

What did Kelly find about teachers who referred their students to his clinic?

Back 5

Their complaints appeared tos ay something about not only the pupils but also the teachers

Front 6

What did Kelly believe about the truth?

Back 6

there is no objective, absolute truth only a subjective reality

Front 7

Phenomena are only meaningful in relation to what?

Back 7

the ways in which they are construed or interpreted by the individual.

Front 8

What is the goal of therapy according to personal construct theory?

Back 8

to imagine reconstrue or reinterpret phenomena and challenge an individual concepts of reality

Front 9

What is constructive alternativism?

Back 9

Kelly's view that there is no objective reality or absolute truth only alternative ways of construing events

Front 10

What is range of convenience?

Back 10

the boundaries of a phenomena that the theory can cover

Front 11

What is focus of convenience?

Back 11

the points within the boundaries where the theory works the best

Front 12

What did Kelly mean by the person-as-scientist metaphor?

Back 12

that people develop theories, test hypothesis and weigh evidence like a scientist as they negotiate everyday life

Front 13

The core of Kelly's theory is that a person anticipate events by observing what?q

Back 13

patterns and regularities

Front 14

How is a contrast formed?

Back 14

two elements must be similar to each other and the third element must be perceived as different.

Front 15

Explain the similarity and contrast poles?

Back 15

the way in which two elements are construed to be similar form the similarity pole and the way in which the third element in different forms the contrast pole.

Front 16

If constructs contain two poles how are ides refined?

Back 16

through additional construct of quality and quantity

Front 17

What interpersonal consequences can different and similar constructs have on communication?

Back 17

different constructs can lead to misunderstanding and similar constructs can aid understanding

Front 18

Explain the difference between a preverbal and verbal construct?

Back 18

verbal constructs can be expressed in words whereas a preverbal construct is one that can be used even though the person has no words to express it.

Front 19

What is it called when one end of a bipolar construct is not available for verbalisation?

Back 19

a submerged construct

Front 20

Each construct in a system has what two features?

Back 20

range of convenience and focus of convenience

Front 21

What are constructs central to the persons construct system more than others called?

Back 21

core constructs

Front 22

What constructs are basic to the persons functioning and can be changed only with great consequences for the rest of he construct system?

Back 22

core constructs

Front 23

What is a peripheral construct?

Back 23

are constructs that are much less basic and can be altered without serious modification of the core structure

Front 24

how is a persona construct system organised?

Back 24

hierarchically

Front 25

Explain the two levels of a construct systems hierarchy?

Back 25

Superordinate constructs are the broadest and most inclusive constructs at the tope of the hierarchy under which more narrow or specific constructs known as subordinate constructs operate

Front 26

What is the name of the assessment instrument used to measure personal constructs?

Back 26

Role Construct Repertory Test (Rep Test)

Front 27

Explain the two steps of the completing the Rep Test?

Back 27

1. develop the Role Title List - list of persons about whom personality ratings will be made
2. the test taker engages in a task that elicits his or her constructs

Front 28

How is the rep test interpreted?

Back 28

by identifying themes that indicate the complexity of the persons construct system

Front 29

What type of constructs do people that allos them to more finely differentiate among persons and be more able to predict the social behaviour of people they know?

Back 29

complex constructs

Front 30

How do people with complex and simple structures differ in the way they deal with inconsistent information?

Back 30

people with complex constructs use inconsistent information to form impressions whereas reject the inconsistent information when forming an impression.

Front 31

Higher levels of complexity serve as a buffer against what?

Back 31

stress

Front 32

What did Kelly termed the fundamental postulate of personal construct theory?

Back 32

anticipate events

Front 33

According to Kelly a person chooses the alternative that promises the greatest what?

Back 33

further development of the construct system

Front 34

What is the recognition that events with which one is confronted lie outside the range of convenience of one's construct system?

Back 34

anxiety

Front 35

What is defined as the awareness of imminent comprehensive change in one's core structure?

Back 35

threat

Front 36

According to Kelly when does fear present?

Back 36

when a new construct appears to be about to enter the construct system?

Front 37

When is threat usually experienced?

Back 37

during times of profound change

Front 38

The dynamics of functioning are an interplay between what two opposing forces?

Back 38

the individuals wish to expand the construct system and the desire to avoid the threat of disruption to that system.

Front 39

Rigid adherence to constructs can be a result of what?

Back 39

fear, anxiety and/or threats

Front 40

What do many people do in the face of anxiety?

Back 40

submerge end of their construct or suspend elements that don't fit well.

Front 41

What is suggested as the treatment for improving maladaptive constructs?

Back 41

fixed role therapy

Front 42

What is the goal of fixed role therapy

Back 42

to enable clients to think about themselves in new ways

Front 43

Explain how a personality sketch can assist a person to improve their constructs?

Back 43

A personality sketch is an alternate type of person that the client can try out to challenge their current constructs.

Front 44

What are two points to consider when using fixed role therapy?

Back 44

different client must be treated differently and resistance to change must be overcome