What is the primary purpose of Kelly's Repertory test?

The primary purpose of Kelly's Repertory test is to learn how clients construe significant people in their lives. This test is based on George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, which posits that individuals make sense of the world through a system of personal constructs—essentially, mental filters or lenses through which they interpret experiences and relationships.

The Repertory test involves clients identifying several significant people, such as friends, family, or colleagues, and then comparing them to uncover the underlying constructs that shape their perceptions and interactions. This process enables individuals to reveal their unique perspectives and the dimensions along which they differentiate between significant people.

By using this test, therapists can gain insights into a client’s relational patterns, cognitive processes, and how they make meaning of their social world, which can be crucial for therapeutic exploration and growth.