Theory of Personality: The Psychology of Personal Constructs (The Norton Library)

Rating:
Summary: Good One
Review: I like the way this book explains constructs

Rating:
Summary: Constructive Alternativism
Review: Kelly's personality theory is based on an underlying philosophical position which he called "constructive alternativism" (3). According to this view, "We assume that all of our present interpretations of the universe are subject to revision or replacement" (15). Kelly focused on "man-the-scientist" (4): "Might not the individual man, each in his own personal way, assume more of the stature of a scientist, ever seeking to predict and control the course of events with which he is involved?" (5). The "Fundamental Postulate" of his theory states "A person's processes are psychologically channelized by the ways in which he anticipates events" (46). This occurs as a person construes or interprets, evaluates, makes sense of, observed regularities in what is going on by noting similarities and differences among events. Thus an organized system of constructs is built up, significantly embodied in language, that provides a basis for prediction and control. Problems may result from the limitations in a person's system of constructs, combined with resistance to changing them. Kelly's approach is presented as a series of postulates and corollaries. Although presented somewhat technically and at a high order of abstraction, he writes clearly and sometimes memorably. For example, noting the theme of his book he writes, "...man, to the extent that he is able to construe his circumstances, can find for himself freedom from their domination. It implies also that man can enslave himself with his own ideas and then win his freedom again by reconstruing his life" (21). Kelly wrote at a time before concern with non-sexist terminology was formulated and can be forgiven for his lapses in this regard. The resonance of his formulations with those of Korzybski and Whorf seems remarkable and provides an example of the inter-theory corroboration that Korzybski found so valuable.

Rating:
Summary: Constructive Alternativism
Review: Kelly's personality theory is based on an underlying philosophical position which he called "constructive alternativism" (3). According to this view, "We assume that all of our present interpretations of the universe are subject to revision or replacement" (15). Kelly focused on "man-the-scientist" (4): "Might not the individual man, each in his own personal way, assume more of the stature of a scientist, ever seeking to predict and control the course of events with which he is involved?" (5). The "Fundamental Postulate" of his theory states "A person's processes are psychologically channelized by the ways in which he anticipates events" (46). This occurs as a person construes or interprets, evaluates, makes sense of, observed regularities in what is going on by noting similarities and differences among events. Thus an organized system of constructs is built up, significantly embodied in language, that provides a basis for prediction and control. Problems may result from the limitations in a person's system of constructs, combined with resistance to changing them. Kelly's approach is presented as a series of postulates and corollaries. Although presented somewhat technically and at a high order of abstraction, he writes clearly and sometimes memorably. For example, noting the theme of his book he writes, "...man, to the extent that he is able to construe his circumstances, can find for himself freedom from their domination. It implies also that man can enslave himself with his own ideas and then win his freedom again by reconstruing his life" (21). Kelly wrote at a time before concern with non-sexist terminology was formulated and can be forgiven for his lapses in this regard. The resonance of his formulations with those of Korzybski and Whorf seems remarkable and provides an example of the inter-theory corroboration that Korzybski found so valuable.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent discription of a labeling theory.
Review: This book provides an interesting theory of the mind via labels (constructs). His notion of dilating our perceptual field, which leads one to better psychological health, has led me to dig deeper into my own mind. It has also allow me to begin to develope my own theory of the mind. Thanks George

Rating:
Summary: Excellent discription of a labeling theory.
Review: This book provides an interesting theory of the mind via labels (constructs). His notion of dilating our perceptual field, which leads one to better psychological health, has led me to dig deeper into my own mind. It has also allow me to begin to develope my own theory of the mind. Thanks George