What is the main influence on individuals belonging to the same cultural group according to Kelly?

The correct choice emphasizes that individuals within the same cultural group are primarily influenced by similar methods of construing experiences. According to Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory, people create personal constructs to interpret and understand their world. These constructs are influenced by cultural experiences, societal norms, and shared meanings that form within a group.

When individuals share a cultural background, they tend to develop similar perspectives and cognitive frameworks that help them process their experiences in comparable ways. This shared method of construing experiences enables them to relate to one another, fostering a sense of community and mutual understanding. Such cognitive congruence plays a significant role in how individuals navigate social realities and validate their experiences within their cultural context.

Other options, while they may hold some relevance to social interactions, do not capture the essence of Kelly's theory as effectively. Geographical proximity or shared recreational interests suggest localization and socialization but do not inherently address the deeper cognitive processes at play. Collective economic status might influence lifestyle or access to resources, yet it does not dictate the underlying methods individuals use to interpret their experiences, which is central to Kelly's focus on individual cognitive processes.