PSY405 Notes Lecture 25

Core Concepts of George Kelly’s Cognitive · Theory of Personality · Recap of Lecture 24

Before diving into today’s material, remember Kelly’s theory is:

1. Phenomenological – focuses on how the individual experiences and interprets the world (your internal frame of reference). Example: Two people can watch the same movie, one finds it funny, the other boring.
2. Cognitive – studies mental processes like thinking, predicting, and interpreting.
3. Existential – emphasizes future orientation and freedom to choose. People are not just reacting to the past—they actively shape the future.
4. Humanistic – highlights human creativity, optimism, and problem-solving ability.

Kelly believed that people behave and think based on “personal constructs”— mental templates used to predict what will happen. Examples: good vs. bad, friendly vs. hostile.

Core Concepts - Lecture 25

7. A Postulate and Some Corollaries

Kelly’s theory has one main postulate and 11 corollaries.

Postulate:

"A person’s processes are psychologically channelized by the ways in which he anticipates events." In simple words: How you think and behave is guided by how you predict the future. Corollaries: These are rules that explain how constructs work:

1. Construction corollary – We form constructs based on patterns in experience. Example: If you meet 10 friendly dogs, you construct “dogs = friendly.”
2. Individual corollary – Everyone has a unique set of constructs, even if experiences are similar.
3. Organization corollary – Constructs are hierarchically organized in the mind. Some are core, others are peripheral.
4. Dichotomy corollary – Constructs are bipolar, meaning they work in opposites (friendly vs. hostile, good vs. bad).
5. Choice corollary – People choose constructs that best predict and extend their system. Example: You might use “hardworking vs. lazy” to judge a coworker, because it helps you anticipate their behavior.
6. Range corollary – Each construct is applicable only to certain situations. Example: “Friendly vs. hostile” applies to people, not rocks.
7. Experience corollary – We modify constructs based on repeated experiences.
8. Modulation corollary – Some constructs are more flexible (permeable), while others are rigid.
9. Fragmentation corollary – People can be inconsistent when testing new constructs.
10. Commonality corollary – People are similar if they construct events in similar ways.
11. Sociality corollary – To interact with others, we anticipate how they will act and adjust our behavior.

8. Channelizing Processes

Kelly used this fancy term to explain that our thinking and behavior are “channeled” by how we anticipate events. Example: If you expect it will rain, you carry an umbrella. Your action is guided by anticipation.

9. Individuality and Organization

Everyone interprets events uniquely, even identical twins. Example: Political opinions—people can experience the same facts but have completely different interpretations. Think of this as looking through personal construct “goggles.”

10. To Construe or Not to Construe

Construe = to interpret or make sense of experiences. Kelly’s choice corollary says we choose the interpretation that gives the most understanding and prediction power.

11. C-P-C Cycle (Circumspection–Preemption–Control)

This is how we deal with new situations:

1. Circumspection – Consider many possible interpretations (constructs).
2. Preemption – Narrow down to the most relevant constructs.
3. Control – Act based on the chosen construct. Example: You see a stranger approaching. Circumspection: “Are they friend or foe?” Preemption: “They’re waving, probably friendly.” Control: Smile and wave back.

12. Change in a Construct System

We update constructs when new experiences don’t fit old predictions.