Kelly believed that people's interpretation of events is similar to which professional?

The belief that people's interpretation of events aligns closely with that of scientists stems from the core tenets of George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory. According to Kelly, individuals act as “personal scientists,” continually forming and testing hypotheses based on their experiences to make sense of the world around them. Just as scientists utilize observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning to develop theories and understand phenomena, people use their personal constructs—essentially their unique perspectives and interpretations—to predict and explain their experiences.

In this process, individuals create frameworks through which they filter and organize their observations, much like a scientist would analyze data to reach conclusions. This perspective emphasizes the active role individuals take in interpreting their realities, asserting that these interpretations can be refined and adjusted over time based on new experiences, akin to scientific inquiry.

Understanding events through the lens of a scientist allows for a more analytical approach to personal experiences, fostering growth and adaptation in thought patterns and behaviors over time. This scientific stance encourages flexibility and the willingness to adjust personal constructs based on evidence gathered from ongoing experiences.