What does Kelly believe is a defining feature of psychological disorder?

In Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory, a defining feature of psychological disorder is the repeated use of invalidated constructs. Constructs are the mental frameworks individuals use to interpret and predict experiences. When these constructs are consistently invalidated—meaning they fail to accurately predict outcomes or explain experiences—they become a barrier to personal growth and adaptation. Individuals who cling to these invalidated constructs often find themselves caught in patterns of thought and behavior that do not serve them well, leading to psychological difficulties.

Focusing on invalidated constructs highlights an important aspect of Kelly's theory, which is the idea that mental health is significantly about how individuals perceive and interpret their experiences. When people use constructs that have proven to be ineffective, they may fail to adjust their understanding or behavior in response to new information or situations, which can exacerbate their psychological issues.

In contrast, the other options relate to concepts that do not capture the essence of psychological disorders as seen through Kelly's lens. Constant invalidation refers to the ongoing emotional experience of feeling discredited, which may not necessarily indicate a psychological disorder in itself. Inhibition of change implies a resistance to personal growth but does not specifically focus on the invalidation of constructs. Reliance on outdated roles points to social or identity issues that may not encompass the