Personal Construct Theory and Systemic Therapies: Parallel or Convergent Trends?

Abstract

Since the constructivist position is progressively being adopted by most of systemic therapies, more attention is being paid to personal meanings. However, an integrative framework is needed to include both systemic and individual phenomena. Kelly$ Personal Construct Theory (PCT) can provide a significant contribution in this integration. Although PCT and the systemic therapies traditionally have had a different evolution and focus of attention (the individual and the family, respectively), they have profound similarities. First, they share a common epistemological stance-constructivism-in considering that reality is not revealed to us in only one true way but is constructed by the knower. Second, personal construct systems possess the properties described for open systems. Finally, PCT and the systemic therapies hold similar positions on relevant theoretical and clinical issues. From the exploration of these similarities, and from other confluent trends, arise patterns of convergence which can become central for a n integrative approach to both individual and family (and larger) systems.Since its very beginnings, the systemic approach to psychotherapy was characterized by its focus on family interaction, that is, on the articulated behaviors occurring within the family system. This distinctive approach differed from other intrapsychic approaches (e.g., psychoanalysis in its various forms) which conceptualized human problems in terms of intra-individual dynamics mainly determined by childhood experiences. This conceptualization of the family as a system led therapists to interview conjoint families, investigate behavioral sequences, and conceptualize problems in terms of system's functions. However, this resulted in an excessive bias on behaviors, and personal meanings seemed to be completely out of the picture, this having relevant clinical consequences (Willi, 1987). Actually, as a result of the recent influence of constructivism, many voices are claiming to direct our attention to meanings as

The research/practice gap in psychotherapy: From discovering reality to making sense

“…This involves the use of personal constructs, i.e. meanings (Feixas, 1990). If one sees an apple, one can only know what one sees by distinguishing it from other known objects.…”

Personal constructs in systemic practice.

“…In some families "religious" is linked with "good", and "atheist" with "bad", while in others this relationship is reversed, or non-implicative (to be "religious" is considered neither "bad" nor "good"). PCT has elaborated models to account for the different possible relationships among constructs (a summary of one of these models is presented in Feixas, 1990b). In addition, PCT inspires more precise models for specific areas such as that proposed by Viney, Benjamin and Preston (1988) for the elderly.…”

“…In further sessions, this technique involves a revision of the task and of some of the (in)validational and (re)constructive implications that it carries . As it has already been outlined (Feixas, 1990b), this technique bears some similarities to the prescription of tasks and rituals commonly used by many systemic therapists although its rationale is presented in a somewhat different form.…”

Integrating Constructivist and Systemic Metatheory in Family Therapy

“…Individuals will influence and be influenced by one another, not only on the level of behavior, but also on the level of how they construct one another's behaviors, and how they construct one another's constructions (Bogdan, 1984;Kelly, 1955). These interpersonal constructions, in turn, have consequences for behaviour and for the maintenance and alteration of personal constructs (Feixas, 1990a(Feixas, , 1990b.…”