How does Kelly suggest individuals can change their personal constructs?

According to Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, personal constructs are cognitive frameworks that individuals use to interpret and predict experiences. Change in these constructs occurs through a process of self-reflection and feedback from experiences. This involves reflecting on one's thoughts and feelings, examining how personal constructs are applied in various situations, and being open to feedback that can challenge existing beliefs.

By engaging in this reflective process, individuals can recognize the limitations of their current constructs and become more adaptable in their thinking. This adaptability allows them to reshape these constructs in light of new information and experiences, ultimately leading to personal growth and development. Self-reflection helps individuals to identify discrepancies between their expectations and actual experiences, prompting them to modify their constructs to better align with reality.

In contrast, adhering strictly to existing beliefs, ignoring new information, or relying solely on group consensus can stifle personal growth and limit one's understanding of themselves and their environment. Each of these approaches does not encourage the necessary flexibility or openness to change that is fundamental to the development of new personal constructs.