The psychology of personal constructs / 1. A theory of personality.

470 Pages·1991·3.02 MB·English

by  Kelly, George A.

The psychology of personal constructs
The psychology of personal
constructs
Volume two
Clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy

George A.Kelly
In association with the Centre for Personal Construct Psychology, London
First published 1991
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.
© 1991 Gladys Kelly
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Kelly, George, 1905–1967
The psychology of personal constructs.
1. Man. Behaviour. Personal construct theory
I. Title
155.2
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Kelly, George Alexander, 1905–1967.
The psychology of personal constructs/George A.Kelly.
p. cm.
Reprint Originally published: New York: Norton, c1955.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: v. 1. Theory of personality—v. 2. Clinical diagnosis
& psychotherapy.
1. Personal construct theory. 2. Personality. 3. Personal
construct therapy. 4. Psychotherapy. I. Title.
BF698.9.P47K44 1990
155.2–dc20 90–39114
CIP
ISBN 0-203-40598-6 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-71422-9 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-415-03799-9 (Print Edition)
ISBN 0-415-03797-2 vol. 1
ISBN 0-415-03798-0 vol. 2
Contents
VOLUME ONE
List of figures and tables viii
Preface to Volume One xi
Editor’s introduction xvii
1 Constructive alternativism 3
The underlying philosophical position is stated and
specifications for a theory of personality are outlined.
2 Basic theory 32
A new theory of personality is proposed. The fundamental
postulate is stated and is then elaborated by means
of eleven corollaries.
3 The nature of personal constructs 74
The personal way in which constructs are used is described.
Their formal aspects are related to a dimensional
scheme. The manner in which constructs are altered
is outlined. Their relation to experience and culture is
defined.
4 The clinical setting 128
The clinical work setting in which a theory of personality
ought to prove itself useful is described. Specifications
for a clinically useful instrument are defined.
5 The Repertory Test 152
The structure, analysis, and clinical use of a new test are
developed.
6 The mathematical structure of psychological space 189
The Repertory Test is generalized into a methodology
having mathematical implications for the structure
v
Contents
of psychological space and for the organization of society.
The interweave of constructs and figures is described.
7 The analysis of self-characterization 239
Techniques arising out of the theoretical position are
applied to a sample of clinical protocol.
8 Fixed-role therapy 268
A special psychotherapeutic technique, illustrating
the exploitation of the theoretical position, is
described in detail.
9 Dimensions of diagnosis 335
Design specifications for psychodiagnostic constructs are
laid down, and a partial repertory of such constructs
is proposed.
10 Dimensions of transition 359
The development of the repertory of psychodiagnostic
constructs is continued with emphasis upon the
transitions in a client’s life. Such terms as anxiety,
hostility, and guilt are given consistent definitions.
Bibliography 393
Index 395
VOLUME TWO
List of figures and tables viii
Preface to Volume Two xi
11 The role of the psychotherapist 3
The objectives of psychotherapy are discussed from the
viewpoints of the persons involved, as well as from a
systematic viewpoint. The qualifications and professional
obligations of the therapist are set forth.
12 The psychotherapeutic approach 45
Relationships between client and therapist are discussed.
Basic techniques of reassurance, support, and the control
of transference are outlined in detail.
13 The appraisal of experiences 91
The role of experience in an anticipatory, as contrasted
with a reactive, theoretical system is outlined. Culture is
vi
Contents
discussed in relation to personal experience and techniques
for the study of personal experience are described.
14 The appraisal of activities 124
The nature of spontaneous activity and techniques for
observing it are described. A methodology for appraising
the experience and activity record is offered.
15 Steps in diagnosis 153
A procedural outline for arriving at psychodiagnostic
conclusions is presented.
16 Disorders of construction 192
Illustrative cases are described in terms of diagnostic
axes systematically derived from the theory.
17 Disorders of transition 222
The use of the proposed repertory of diagnostic constructs
is further illustrated.
18 Elaborating the complaint 265
The nature and functions of psychotherapeutic elaboration
and the ways of dealing directly with complaint material
are discussed.
19 Elaborating the personal system 292
Techniques for approaching the client’s construct system
are described.
20 Loosening and tightening 329
Techniques, including free association and the
exploration of dream recollections, are systematically
discussed. Ways of tightening and loosening the client’s
construction are described.
21 Producing psychotherapeutic movement 370
The use of interpretation and the criteria for timing and
judging therapeutic movement are described. Ways of
controlling anxiety and guilt are presented. The client’s
psychotherapeutic experimentation is discussed.
22 Special techniques in psychotherapy 408
Enactment, group psychotherapy, and the clinical training
of psychotherapists are discussed.
Index 447
vii
Figures and tables
Figures
Volume one
1 Diagram of chapter content xvi
6.1 An illustrative protocol 192–3
6.2 Sorting grid 192
6.3 Composition of the first construct factor, case A 194
6.3a Composition of the first factor in terms of figures 195
6.4 Major compositions of the second to sixth construct factors, case A 196
6.5 Worksheet 222–3
6.6 Composition of the first generalized person, case A 224
6.7 Composition of additional generalized figures, case A 225
6.8 Special identifications, case A 226
6.9 Identification loadings, case A 227
6.10 Comparison of the self-identifications of two women 228
6.11 Comparison of sex-role perceptions of two women 229
6.12 Situational resources protocol, case X 235
6.13 Situational resources protocol, case Y 236
Tables
Volume one
3.1 Lyle’s factor table 76
5.1 Suggested sorts for the Role Construct Repertory Test 156
5.2 Raw protocol of Mildred Beal 169
5.3 Descriptions of figures 171
5.4 Construct constellations 172
5.5 The nature of the basic contructs used 172
5.6 Figures falling under the rubrics of the principal constellation 173
viii
Figures and tables
5.7 Some figure constellations 173
5.8 Tallies 174
6.1 p-values for numbers of cell matches 207
Volume two
13.1 Role Construct Repertory Test Protocol, self-identification 94
ix