Constructivism - Jesse Delia
Constructivism - Jesse Delia
Constructivism - Jesse Delia
of Jesse Delia
1
Constructivism
conservatives
social conservatives
articulate social conservatives
Figuring out:
▪ Others’ personality traits
▪ Where they stand in relationship to us
▪ What they are doing
▪ Why they are doing it
Impression formation is the crucial
first step in relationship development.
Cognitive complexity allows us to
form impressions by “taking the role
of the other.”
Constructivists believe that
Black White
The sophisticated observer of the human scene is capable of
distinguishing subtle differences among people.
Constructivists distinguish between
mental structure and mental process.
You form your You devise a message You carry out the
primary and plan using procedural message that you
secondary goals based records stored in your devised in order to
on the situation long-term memory - achieve your goals
recollection of an
action taken in a
specific situation
paired with its
consequences
By becoming sensitive to the inner life of
others, a person’s set of interpersonal
constructs grows.
Constructivism at work
High cognitive
complexity
facilitates
Sophisticated
message plans
produce
Person-centered
messages
lead to
Beneficial outcomes
Beneficial effects of person-centered messages
1. 2. 3.
Social Support Relationship Organizational
Messages Maintenance Effectiveness
Social support messages
Messages that express sympathy but shift attention from loss, and
offers explanations
Messages that dismiss the thoughts and feelings of the person who is
hurting
Relationship maintenance