Question

In a one page paragraph format, describe Richard Nixon from the viewpoint of Personal Construct Theory and discuss his various constructs and how he used them in his political career.

Answer 1

According to Kelly, a construct refers to the meaning of perceiving understanding or interpreting situations or events. For instance, people often use the good-bad construct while considering situations or events. It is an extremely creative effort to interpret behaviour in cognitive terms; that is it enables one to perceive understand and interpret situation by relating them with already existing structures and the manner in which one behaves or acts in relation to the interpretations done. The personal construct system of a person constitutes the constructs or means of interpreting situations or events and the connection between these constructs

The personal construct theory by Kelly emphasizes more on understanding rather than social conduct. This theory proposes an additional notion that helps us to know Richard Nixon. Nixon was a man whose career has both positive determination and durability in civic life. His appeal was indefinable. Nixon as a man is multifaceted, but he is frank as a political thinker. Nixon placed his own desires ahead of the lives so that he could be the one to put a full stop to the skirmish. He was also accountable for significant strategies that have had a deep effect on American government and foreign policy. He had the important characters of headship like determination, dream, knowledge, communication skills, bravery, and luck. Nixon efficiently directed his vims and used absolute power of will to push himself . As a president, Nixon also demonstrated himself to be a trailblazer who never wasted time in facing with serious issues that challenged the country. Nixon’s rational wisdom has long been recognized by people from both sides of the political field. The president exhibited a sense of robustness throughout his terms in office that was really astonishing to observe. A good part of Nixon’s iron will was entrenched in his inner determination i.e. his determination to make his spot on the world.