What is "personal construct theory"?

Personal construct theory is a psychological framework developed by George Kelly in the 1950s. It posits that individuals interpret their experiences and the world around them through a system of subjective mental representations or "constructs." These constructs act as cognitive filters through which people make sense of the various events in their lives.

According to this theory, we each have our unique set of constructs based on past experiences which we use to predict future events and understand interpersonal relations. This emphasis on subjectivity is central to personal construct theory, as it recognizes that different people may interpret the same situation in vastly different ways based on their personal experiences and beliefs.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of personal construct theory. The focus on hereditary traits, objective traits, and behavioral observation does not align with the emphasis on personal and subjective interpretation that characterizes this framework. Personal construct theory prioritizes individual perception and cognitive processing, setting it apart from theories that focus on stable traits, objective measurements, or observation-based methodologies.