Socialization and personal change: a personal construct psychology approach.
As we enter the world of work we are socialized into the role we are to perform, and also into the ethos of the organization where we are to work. This socialization is argued to be both a normative and individualistic process. Studies on socialization which concentrate on the social elements tend to identify the commonalities or normative aspects of this change. Studies which have analysed the cognitive elements tend to identify the idiosyncratic aspects of the change. This paper presents Kelly's theory of Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) as a technique for analysing this change which can identify both the normative and ideographic changes if these are present. This paper gives a brief account of the theory prior to concentrating on the specific treatment of self and change in self (the experience cycle). It is argued that use of PCP theory can assist in understanding not only the changes that occur during socialization, but also other changes, and training needs, that individuals may experience within their working life.
Buckenham
M A
MA
RCN Institute, Royal College of Nursing, London, England.
D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing; D012951:Socialization; D006113:United Kingdom; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*