George Kelly (psychologist)

George A. Kelly (Psychologist)

George Kelly (April 28, 1905 – March 6, 1967) was an American psychologist, therapist, and educator, best known for his contributions to personality theory and his development of the Personal Construct Psychology (PCP). Kelly's work emphasized the importance of individual perspectives and interpretations in understanding human psychology, marking a significant departure from the dominant behaviorism of his time.

Biography

George Alexander Kelly was born in Perth, Kansas, to a farming family. He pursued his education at Friends University, Wichita, before transferring to Park College in Missouri, where he earned his degree in physics and mathematics. Kelly's interest in psychology was sparked during his tenure as a teacher and later as a school psychologist, leading him to pursue a master's degree at the University of Kansas. He completed his Ph.D. in psychology at the State University of Iowa in 1931.

Throughout his career, Kelly held various academic positions, including at Fort Hays Kansas State College and Ohio State University, where he developed the theory of Personal Construct Psychology. He also served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, where he applied his psychological expertise to the selection and training of pilots.

Personal Construct Psychology

Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) is a theory of personality that Kelly introduced in his two-volume work, The Psychology of Personal Constructs (1955). This theory posits that individuals construct their own psychological worlds through a unique system of personal constructs—bipolar dimensions of judgment used to interpret experiences. According to Kelly, these constructs are subject to change as one encounters new experiences, leading to personality development and change over time.

PCP introduced several innovative concepts, including the Role Construct Repertory Test (Rep Test), a tool designed to elicit an individual's system of personal constructs. Kelly's approach was revolutionary in that it viewed individuals as active agents in their own psychological development, rather than passive subjects of external forces.

Impact and Legacy

Kelly's work has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology, particularly in the areas of personality theory, clinical psychology, and psychotherapy. His emphasis on the subjective interpretation of experiences and the fluid nature of personality constructs has influenced various psychological schools of thought, including cognitive psychology, constructivist psychology, and narrative therapy.

Despite his significant contributions, Kelly's theories were initially met with skepticism, partly due to their departure from the prevailing behaviorist and psychoanalytic paradigms of the time. However, over the years, Personal Construct Psychology has gained recognition and is now considered a foundational theory in understanding personality and human cognition.

Selected Works

• The Psychology of Personal Constructs (1955)
• A Theory of Personality: The Psychology of Personal Constructs (1963)

See Also

• Cognitive Psychology
• Constructivist Psychology
• Narrative Therapy
• Personality Theory

Further Reading

While this article provides an overview of George Kelly and his contributions to psychology, readers interested in a deeper understanding of Personal Construct Psychology and its applications are encouraged to explore his published works and subsequent literature in the field.