Chapter11: George A. Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory of Personality
1. Kelly suggested that scientists should evaluate theories according to whether they are ________.
a) right or wrong
b) useful
c) noteworthy
d) interesting
Ans: b
2. According to constructive alternativism, different theories may enable us to usefully __________ events.
a) predict
b) control
c) interpret
d) both ‘a’ and ‘c’ are correct
Ans: d
3. A theory’s range of convenience speaks to its ____________, whereas its focus of convenience refers to
_________.
a) where the theory makes the best predictions; comprehensiveness
b) where the theory makes the best predictions; how easy it is to understand it
c) comprehensiveness; where the theory makes the best predictions
d) comprehensiveness; how easy it is to understand it
Ans: c
4. Kelly’s person-as-scientist metaphor suggests that, like scientists, we _____________ to understand events.
a) develop theories
b) test hypotheses
c) weigh evidence
d) all of the above
Ans: d
5. Observing two people staying behind during class to tutor a friend and a third person making a show of not
getting involved could lead one to develop the construct helpful/unhelpful. In this example, ___________
would be the similarity pole of the construct and ________ the contrast pole.
a) tutoring; helpful
b) tutoring; unhelpful
c) helpful; unhelpful
d) unhelpful; helpful
Ans: c
6. Research by Simpson, Large, and O’Brien (2004) illustrated the Kellyan idea that communication is made much
easier when _________________.
a) people understand each others’ constructs
b) people’s constructs are complex
c) people keep their constructs to themselves
d) people’s constructs are simple
Ans: a
7. Kelly suggested that the verbal/preverbal distinction captures some phenomena that Freudians would call
____________ versus _______________.
a) conscious; unconscious
b) conscious; preconscious
c) preconscious; submerged
d) submerged; periconscious
Ans: a
8. If Agreeableness is amongst one’s superordinate constructs, then __________ would be a construct subordinate
to it.
a) smart
b) kind
c) polished
d) outgoing
Ans: b
9. The Role Construct Repertory Test (Rep test) is an example of a test that is ________________.
a) nomothetic
b) factor-analytic
c) idiographic
d) inflexible
Ans: c
10. Bieri’s (1955) research indicated that those with more ________ construct systems were better able to predict
others’ behavior.
a) simple
b) obtuse
c) focused
d) complex
Ans: d
11. According to Kelly’s fundamental postulate, a variety of psychological and behavioral outcomes are shaped by
___________.
a) people’s anticipation of the future
b) conflicts between constructs
c) a self-actualizing motive
d) the avoidance of pain
Ans: a
12. Your textbook suggests that one area where Kelly’s theory can be said to lacking is in its treatment of
___________.
a) psychopathology
b) growth and development
c) behavior change
d) assessment
Ans: b
13. According to Kelly, one experiences ___________ upon realizing he or she does not have the constructs that will
enable him or her to predict events; one experiences ___________ when he or she senses that the construct
system is about to change.
a) anxiety; fear
b) anxiety; sadness
c) fear; sadness
d) fear; anxiety
14. According to Kelly, psychopathology results from a rigid adherence to ____________.
a) a faulty construct system
b) anxiety
c) repression
d) fear
Ans: a
15. In fixed role therapy, the client is given an opportunity to ________________.
a) meet others with similar constructs
b) try on new constructs
c) voice submerged constructs
d) free associate
Ans: b