Repertory Grid Methodology Research Articles

Personal constructs, childhood sexual abuse and revictimization

Within the theoretical framework of Ryle's Procedural Sequence Object Relations Model and Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, this study investigates sex-role polarization of incest survivors and the centrality of abuse within survivors' constructs of men that may contribute to revictimization. Repertory grid methodology was used with 40 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse and 28 non-abused women. Grid measures and psychometric measures were compared between groups of women who had and had not experienced childhood sexual abuse, revictimized and non-revictimized survivors, and survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. Results showed significant differences between survivors and non-abused women, with survivors having higher levels of depression and perceived distress, lower self-esteem and higher self/ ideal self discrepancy. Hypothesized differences in sex-role polarization were not found. There were few differences between revictimized and non-revictimized survivors, although revictimized survivors rated 'self now' as more powerful than non-revictimized survivors. No differences were found between survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. In addition to the value of exploring personal constructs, a range of models need to be considered in understanding revictimization and women's construal of men. The implications of using repertory grid methodology for research and clinical work are discussed.

Exploring drug users' illness representations of hiv, hepatitis b and hepatitis c using repertory grids

Hepatitis B and C viruses are more prevalent among injecting drug users than HIV. This study explored drug users' illness representations of hepatitis B and C using repertory grid methodology. Initially, nine drug users were presented with six elements including hepatitis B and C, and HIV. Constructs were elicited via the sequential form variation of the method of triads. Elements were rated on elicited constructs using a five-point scale, and analyzed using “Flexigrid”. In a second quantitative research stage, 52 drug users were presented with six elements and supplied constructs. Results of the first stage indicated participants were able to generate constructs relating to Leventhal et al.'s (1980) features of illness representations. Most constructs, however, were causal in nature. Participants perceived hepatitis B, C and HIV similarly along the causal component. This similarity on the causal component was largely replicated in the second research stage. Participants, however, distinguished HIV from hepatitis B and C along serious, cure and timeline features. Participants did not distinguish hepatitis B from hepatitis C. The implications of these results for health promotion are discussed.

Predications of the Limit Concept: An Application of Repertory Grids

This study uses repertory grid methodology together with a predicational view of human thinking to describe the informal models of the limit concept held by two college calculus students. It describes how their models, based on iteratively choosing points that get closer to the limiting value, are affected by experimental sessions designed to alter them. The informal models are based on the notion of actual infinity, which poses a severe cognitive obstacle to the learning of the formal definition of limit. The study also suggests that the predicational view of cognition, together with analysis of repertory grid data based on fuzzy set theory, can be useful in studying students' concept images of advanced mathematical concepts.

Trust: Key Elements in Human Supervisory Control Domains

This study aimed to investigate the concept of trust within human supervisory control domains. Using repertory grid methodology, a small homogeneous sample of control engineers from two individual companies within the energy distribution industry were found to share a commonality in what they considered to be important characteristics of trust across three groups: intra-team, inter-team and technology. Sixty constructs were elicited which were reduced to 13 core constructs using content analysis. These were categorised into three separate dimensions; emotive, cognitive and behavioural. Differences were found, both within and between the three groups, according to participants’ scored level of trust for each group. These results are discussed with a view to developing strategies that may enhance trusting behaviours, especially between teams in applied controlled settings.

Surfacing embedded assumptions: Using repertory grid methodology to facilitate organizational change

This article outlines a 3-year research project that examines the role of performance evaluation and control systems in bringing about change in manufacturing organizations. A key aim of the project was to develop tools and techniques that managers can use to enable them to understand and enact change. As part of an indepth case study methodology, repertory grid interviews were used with both managers and operatives in three companies as a means of identifying commonly held assumptions about a range of work behaviours. The article discusses the use of the grid as a developmental, rather than exploratory technique, thereby focusing on its use as a process through which managers can assess their systems in use and highlight any necessary change issues. It is argued that repertory grid techniques have a useful part to play in diagnosing the key change issues that work and organizational psychologists face when planning organizational change and development interventions.

PERCEIVED APPLICANT FIT: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RECRUITERS' PERCEPTIONS OF PERSON‐JOB AND PERSON‐ORGANIZATION FIT

Two studies were conducted to assess whether recruiters form distinguishable perceptions of applicant person‐job (P‐J) and person‐organization (P‐O) fit. The first study used repertory grid methodology with actual recruiters and mock applicants to demonstrate that knowledge, skills, and abilities are relied on more frequently to assess P‐J fit, and values and personality traits more often to assess P‐O fit. Study 2, which involved actual recruiters making decisions on applicants in a field setting, supported P‐J and P‐O fit perceptions as 2 discernable factors. Study 2 also found that both types of perceived fit offer unique prediction of hiring recommendations. Taken together, these results present compelling evidence that recruiters discriminate between applicants' P‐J and P‐O fit during early interviews.

The personal construction of information space

The present article describes the use of Repertory Grid methodology as a means of externalizing an individual's view of information space. The method is described with a single participant, and appears to offer a viable means of exploring the concept of information space. Future work will examine multiple views in an attempt to explore the extent to which the concept is shared among a group of people.

Risk positioning of UK grocery multiple retailers

Gaining competitive advantage in retailing requires knowledge of the attributes consumers use to discriminate between stores and an understanding of why these attributes are important. Although a number of store-image studies (e.g., Kelly and Stephenson 1967; Lindquist 1974; Hallsworth 1987) have identified discriminant attributes, no study has related its findings to any buyer-behaviour theory and the links between store attributes and buyer behaviour remain largely speculative. In addition, evidence suggests that these attributes vary by store type (Tigert 1983) and over time (Davies 1992); thus existing studies are rarely useful to new situations, e.g. UK grocery retailers. The article explores the prima facie case for using perceived-risk theory in analysing store perceptions and sets out definitions of store risks in this context. We propose Kelly's repertory-grid methodology as the most useful method of assessing store image and attempt to relate store attributes to customers' patronage preferences using perceived-risk theory, which no other study has done. In-store interviews revealed Tesco was perceived as having high financial, but low time risk; Kwik Save had low financial, but very high time risk; and Aldi had low financial and low time risk. Implications for retail positioning strategies are discussed.

Primary and secondary store‐loyal customer perceptions of grocery retailers

Gaining competitive advantage in retailing requires knowledge of the attributes consumers use to evaluate stores and an understanding of why these attributes are important. Although a number of store‐image studies have identified store attributes, evidence suggests that these attributes vary by store type and over time, but no work has considered the most crucial aspects to retailers, namely store loyalty. As no study has examined the links between store attributes and store loyalty, our knowledge remains largely speculative. This article explores this link using Kelly′s repertory grid methodology to assess the store images of three UK grocery retailers. Important differences were seen between primary store‐loyal customers’ perception of their store and secondary store‐loyal customers’ perception of that store. For example, primary‐loyal Tesco customers perceived quality, convenience and value factors in that order of importance, whilst primary‐loyal Kwik‐Save customers perceived quality, value and convenience factors when considering Tesco. Implications for retail positioning strategies and the development of store loyalty are discussed.

Expectations of an exercise prescription scheme: An exploratory study using repertory grids

Objectives. The study aimed to investigate in depth the personal constructs relating to exercise of individuals referred by their medical practitioner for a 10‐week gym‐based exercise programme. It further aimed to study the expectations of change on these constructs and the extent to which these predicted adherence. A subsidiary aim was to evaluate the usefulness of repertory grid methodology in the exercise context.Design. This was a longitudinal study.Methods. Participants were interviewed at the start of the 10‐week exercise programme. During the interview they completed repertory grids designed to elicit constructs about exercise‐related change. Participants were followed up at three months to check adherence.Results. Three illustrative individual case studies are presented in detail followed by some aggregated analyses. These suggest that expectations of change were very diverse and often overoptimistic. Those who completed their course of exercise had more modest expectations of change than those who failed to complete. They also showed less gulf between their current view of themselves and their view of themselves as they would like to be.Conclusions. The study suggests that having realistic aims and understanding of the outcomes that can be expected from a brief exercise programme is an important predictor of success, but one that may currently be overlooked in the enthusiasm to implement exercise prescription schemes.

Living with Children with an Intellectual Disability: Parents Construct their Reality

This paper reports a study that adopted an interpretivist paradigm as a basis for parents and researchers to co‐create a discourse that outlines life experiences as they relate to parenting a child with an intellectual disability. Repertory grid methodology was employed to inform the process of discourse development. A model of the five interrelated systems of events or issues that impinge upon the perceptions of parents of children with an intellectual disability is proposed. In addition, details about the group's perceptions of those environmental events or issues that are pertinent to living with and caring for a child with an intellectual disability are reported.

The semiotics of retail space: An application of the repertory grid methodology

The semiotics of retail space: An application of the repertory grid methodology

Moderate levels of chronic mood disturbance are associated with increased cognitive complexity about the self

Despite its status as a general assumption, the idea that mood disturbance is associated with reduced complexity of cognitive representations has received little in the way of empirical support. It is suggested that this may arise because of a failure to make distinctions concerning the severity and type of mood disturbance, as well as not being specific about what the representations actually refer to. Using repertory grid methodology (Bieri et al., 1966) with a group of moderately mood-disturbed 'worriers', results showed that this group are significantly more complex than matched controls, but only for representations concerned with themselves. Moreover, this was related to chronic rather than current mood disturbance. The results are interpreted as indicating that cognitive complexity may follow an inverted-U pattern, where the self-representations of severely mood-disturbed and control subjects, although differing in valence, are similar in their lack of complexity. On the other hand, those who are chronically but moderately disturbed are, as a result of their ongoing tendency towards introspection, more complex in their self-representations. Possible implications for vulnerability to emotional disorder are discussed.

IMPRESSION FORMATION AND CONSTRUCT SYSTEM ORGANIZATION

Research into the changes in construing associated with impression formation has focussed on the content of the cognitive dimensions used. Such an approach has ignored the structural organization of such cognitive dimensions. This study used the repertory grid to explore the structural correlates o/the impression formation process. Forty nine first year university students completed repertory grids based upon well known and newly met acquaintances. Consistent with theoretical expectation, newly met acquaintances were construed with more construct independence, less construct integration, and less meaningfulness than persons who had been known for a longer period of time. Upon retesting 10 weeks later, newly met acquaintances were seen in a more meaningful and integrated manner. Additionally, it was found that subjects had difficulties in applying constructs elicited around well known persons to newly met acquaintances. The implications of these findings for the study of impression formation and repertory grid methodology are discussed.

Black South Africans' Constructions of Their Urban Environments

The theory of personal constructs and repertory-grid methodology were used to investigate black South Africans' constructions of their urban environments. A sample of 735 residents of the black townships of five eastern Cape towns and cities provided the basis for generalization on trends in group constructions of urban environments, and perceptions of urban problems. House type and quality and basic residential and transportation infrastructure were found to predominate such constructions and perceptions. Significant differences were evident, however, between towns and social classes. The policy implications of the findings are assessed.

Perception and evaluation of the coastal zone: Implications for coastal zone planning

Abstract Five hundred and nine respondents completed a survey that assessed their knowledge of the metropolitan coast; the acceptability of industrial, commercial, high‐rise, and marina developments; and community perceptions of the important planning criteria for coastal development. Analysis, by means of a modified repertory grid methodology, of respondents’ coastal knowledge indicated that the coast could be classified into four perceptual units that, when used with existing landform and land use classification, could be used to assess development location and the social impact of proposed developments. By analysis of responses to coastal maps, sketches, and verbal descriptions, it was found that only marina and low‐rise (one‐ and two‐story) developments were seen as acceptable forms of coastal development. Open‐ended questions, analyzed with a “key‐word‐in‐context”; methodology, indicated that when planners consider coastal development proposals an important planning consideration that needs to be examined is the community's perception of the development proposal.

The perception of animals amongst animal liberationists and hunters

To investigate animal liberationists' and hunters' perceptions of animals a repertory grid methodology and multidimensional scaling analysis were used to identify the dimensions of meaning used by 34 individuals from these two groups in their construal of 12 animal categories, selected so as to be representative of the animal kingdom. Five dimensions of meaning were identified, although their relative salience was found to differ between the two groups. Additionally, rated liking for the animals, as a function of the dimensions of meaning, was found to differ between the groups. The implications of the results and directions for future research in the context of environmental education and wildlife management are also discussed.

Children's Characterization of Place

This study investigated children's place preferences and evaluations. A sample of grade-school children in El Cajon, near San Diego, answered questions about places in the neighborhood around their school. The answers were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and a modified repertory grid methodology. Groups of like-minded children were identified, as were the different ways in which they evaluated the same environments. The children's characterization of a place was closely related to how they perceived its utility. Places useful to the children contributed to child-environment transactions that promoted independence, creativity, sociability, and affect.

Dimensions of meaning in the perception of natural settings and their relationship to aesthetic response

This research identified, through the use of pairwise similarity judgements and a repertory grid methodology, the dimensions of meaning individuals use in discriminating among natural settings, and the relationship of these dimensions to aesthetic response. Randomly selected photographic stimuli were presented to 52 subjects in an experimental setting, using a micro-computer to control presentation of stimuli and tasks. Five dimensions of meaning were identified, with subjects differentially weighting these dimensions in terms of their salience to aesthetic response. It is argued that although the collative properties of experimentally derived stimuli are important in modifying arousal levels (Berlyne, 1971), when investigating “environments” and not “stimuli”, the perceived meaning or ecological properties (Berlyne, 1971) are additional and important determinants of aesthetic response.

The identification of factors influencing destination choice: An application of the repertory grid methodology

A common problem of all cognitive-behavioural models of destination choice is that of the identification of factors influencing the behaviour of interest. This paper considers the applicability of Kelly's repertory grid methodology to identify the factors influencing consumer choice of shopping centres. Firstly, some methodological issues in the assessment of the relative importance people attach to certain variables in deciding where to shop are discussed. Secondly, the main findings of an application of the repertory grid methodology are presented. The paper concludes by discussing some implications of the measurement of the determinants of choice behaviour and the construction of mathematical models of destination choice.