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Using Kelly’s theory to explore student teachers’ constructs about their pupils

Touw, H., M., F., Meijer, P. C., Wubbels, T.

Keywords:
Personal construct theory, classification system for teachers' personal constructs, student teachers' thinking, repertory grid technique, research methodology

Abstract:
This study builds on and adapts a procedure to reveal teachers’ constructs about their pupils and a method to categorise these constructs. Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory (PCT) and his accompanying repertory grid technique are used to study the constructs of Dutch student teachers about their pupils. The elements used to elicit the constructs consisted of the student teachers’ entire class. Seven categories were used to categorise the constructs: Attitudinal, emotional, relational, personal, intellectual, interests and physical. In addition to Kelly’s original technique, the student teachers were asked to provide descriptions of their construct and contrast poles. These descriptions facilitated reliable coding.