What can Kelly's theory of personal constructs be most accurately classified as?

Kelly's theory of personal constructs can be classified as a metatheory because it provides a framework for understanding how individuals interpret their experiences and build their cognitive structures. This classification highlights the approach that Kelly takes in studying human behavior and thought processes, which emphasizes the role of personal interpretation in meaning-making rather than prescribing specific psychological rules or doctrines.

Metatheory involves examining the underlying assumptions and principles that inform various theoretical perspectives, making it a broader analysis of how psychological phenomena can be understood. Kelly's work encourages individuals to reflect on their personal constructs—mental representations shaped by past experiences—allowing for a flexible and individualized understanding of personality and behavior, rather than adhering to rigid doctrines or established rules of psychology.

In this context, while scientific theory indicates a different level of empirical validation and standardization associated with measurable predictions and systematic research methods, Kelly’s constructs are more about exploring subjective understandings. The same logic applies to the notions of psychological doctrine and philosophical beliefs, which focus on conveying established ideologies rather than providing a descriptive framework for the dynamic process of constructing meaning in life events.