constructive alternativism

Categories: Site glossary

a philosophical perspective mooted by George Kelly, and used to develop his personal construct theory suggested we can always entertain alternative construals of experience

This can be seen as an example of a constructivist perspective (i.e., a flavour of personal constructivism)

"Kelly was arguing that given that there is generally some uncertainty about our existing understandings, we should be open to considering other options, alternative conceptualisations, even when they seem inconsistent with aspects of our current thinking." (Taber, 2020)

See: Personal construct theory

 

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.