Mapping Psychological Spaces: Psychotherapeutic Applications of System Dynamics in Fuzzy Cognitive Maps of Personal Constructs

This paper presents an innovative procedure for deriving both Fuzzy Cognitive Maps and Behavior Over Time Graphsfrom Personal Construct Psychology’s Repertory Grids, via the intermediate step of eliciting an adaptation of Bipolar Implications Grids. This makes it possible to have a functional as well as structural model of the Personal Construct System and to test and simulate its anticipated dynamics in hypothetical scenarios, as well as to understand more fully its systemic properties. The paper focuses on the procedure itself, and it is illustrated by means of a case study so as to highlight its significant implications for psychotherapy research and practice.