Chaos (nonlinear) analysis of the Kelly rep grid
Rue L. Cromwell *, Jennifer A. Snyder **, Kenneth W. Sewell ***, Charyle
Langelle ****
* University of Kansas, ** University of North Carolina, *** University
of North Texas, **** Rushmore, Minnesota (USA)
Abstract
Chaos theory (nonlinear dynamic systems analysis) was explored in single
rep grids. Of par-ticular interest was the rep matrix input by constructs
(row by row) vs. elements (column by column). In the protocol of a psychologically
healthy individual the input by constructs tended toward a periodic or
pseudoperiodic attractor, whereas the input of the same grid by elements
was more chaotic (complex). Beyond procedural determinants, this observation
may mean that this person, as Kelly proposed, organizes information by
generating constructs to apply to various people. This observation is examined
against an earlier hypothesis that peo-ple with dissociative identity disorder
(DID) may organize information by grouping people more than by elaborating
constructs about people. Comparing these chaos (nonlinear) analy-ses with
IRCLAS (hierarchical clustering) analyses, we think these analytic methods
might be useful ways for formal Kelly rep grid investigations.
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