title: Prescott Lecky: pioneer in consistency theory and cognitive therapy.
abstract: Prescott Lecky's theory of self-consistency consists of an organization of ideas that revolve around those of the self and a master motive that serves to preserve and modify the unity of ideas. Self-consistency theory anticipated several cognitive-phenomenological theories of personality and remains relevant to contemporary personality and clinical psychologists. Regrettably, Lecky left few details about the structure, processes, and development of personality. This paper first will review Lecky's career, theory, and influence. Next, the nuclear theory of the mind, attributed to Frederick Thorne, will be described. The nuclear theory refines and extends Lecky's work and will be evaluated on conceptual, empirical, and practical grounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal 61761-6901.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010553:Personality Development; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States