What role do cognitive biases play in Kelly's theory?

In Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, cognitive biases play a significant role by distorting personal constructs, ultimately leading to inaccuracies in individuals' perceptions and interpretations of experiences. This theory posits that people develop personal constructs to make sense of their world and guide their behaviors and decisions. However, cognitive biases can influence how these constructs are formed and applied.

For instance, when individuals rely on past experiences or preconceived notions, they may unwittingly distort their understanding of new information. This leads to a skewed perception of reality, as biases such as confirmation bias, where people give more weight to information that supports their existing beliefs, can cause them to overlook or dismiss contradictory evidence. This distortion can perpetuate inaccurate constructs, making it difficult for individuals to adapt their understanding as new experiences arise.

While there are other aspects of cognitive functioning that could influence personal understanding, the key aspect here is that biases can create a gap between one's mental representations and the actual experiences, ultimately impacting decision-making and interactions with the world.