Enquire Within^®

An Example When Used to Support a Self Study Program: Sexuality

An example of a very simple application of repertory grid which shows Enquire Within^® used as study support software as part of a distance learning program, training course or as home study or self learning to explore knowledge and perceptions. In this example we assume you wish to test and extend your knowledge of alternative sexualities.

We assume here that you have a basic understanding of the jargon related to grid - terms like construct, element and qualifier. The tutorial material supplied with Enquire Within provides detailed information about the processes involved in the repertory grid interview, what the terminology means and how grid is used. Nevertheless a reading of this article will outline some of the possibilities and, if these excite you, you can obtain an evaluation copy of Enquire Within here or read more widely on this site.

The Training Subject Matter

For the purpose of the repertory grid interview and to focus the exploration, Enquire Within provides for three classes of information to be provided that will guide the presentation of the compare and contrast questions used to determine the constructs. So, amplifying the subject matter we wish to explore, we determine:

A purpose: to explore my understanding of alternative sexualities
An element class: terms related to alternative sexualities
Qualifiers: for example in terms of behaviour, and in terms of ability to succeed in employment. You could just as easily use other in terms of statements depending on what it is you are wanting to explore. For instance, if you were a medical practitioner you might wish to explore needs for medical support. Or, if you were a counsellor or psychotherapist, you might like to challenge your prejudices or stereotypes by using a qualifier like in terms of what I like (or dislike) about them.

This very clearly delineates the subject, the scope of exploration and what aspects of the subject you are exploring.

Selecting the Sexualities (Elements)

Determine at least six terms related to sexuality (you can add more later as new terms are encountered during the exploration). In this example you are wanting to extend your knowledge. Therefore you may have limited knowledge of some terms and what they mean in relationship to your qualifiers. The compare and contrast process will provide leads for research and development of your knowledge. A set of elements to start with might include six out of Transsexual, Fa’afafine, Genderqueer, Heterosexual, Intersex, Gay, Lesbian, Asexual, Takatäpui and Queer.

Generating Constructs

Having determined all the resources you need to start exploring and extending your knowledge of sexualities you are ready for construct development.

Enquire Within generates the magic question Considering Transsexual, Heterosexual and Queer, think of something that two of them have in common that makes them different from the third in terms of their behaviour (or in terms of their need for medical support, etc.). Your answer to that question and other similar questions provides your constructs.

Enquire Within provides for:

changing the order of presentation of element sets (sexualities) so that different two against one comparisons are made;
changing the elements (sexualities);
changing the qualifier (the in terms of question) to change the focus;
selecting your own element set from those you have entered;
providing you with a new set of elements to consider;
reminding yourself of your purpose to maintain focus.

Thus the subject material is presented in many different ways to prompt for similarities and differences and thus your construct system related to the domain of exploration.

You can go on working through the subject matter adding constructs by changing the element sets and by laddering. When you have a number of constructs you can then rate each of your elements on the constructs and produce an analysis of what you have done so far. The dendritic analysis process built in to Enquire Within will provide an opportunity to look for inconsistencies and gaps in your knowledge. That is part of a seamless, iterative process that can take you as far as you wish to go.

When you have reached the limit of your current knowledge (or before, if you wish) it is time to do some research to fill in some gaps by looking up your reference material or searching the web (in this example - with care!).

What Has Been Achieved?

Enquire Within here is first, a test of your knowledge and perceptions of the subject matter, and secondly, a process for extending this knowledge at its limits. The process helps you look inside yourself for what you already know, firstly through the compare and contrast process, and then through the differentiation process where it poses questions like:

There must be more differences between Intersex and Transexual than I’ve identified so far, or
So far I've identified only things I like about heterosexuals - what are some of the things I don't like?

With Enquire Within you have gone beyond collection and memorizing facts. You have gone up a level into analysis and developing a frame of reference for judging the subject matter. Becoming aware of one’s frame of reference along with developing and testing it is a major feature of this application of grid and is an important skill for learning.

Related Resources

Repertory Grid Used to Support a Study Programme
Teaching and Learning Objective Information
An example of use as training software to Support a Study Program
Sexual Offenders: Personal Construct Theory And Deviant Sexual Behaviour, James Horley. Is there an alternative way of treating sexual offenders beyond traditional psychiatry? Sexual Offenders explores and develops personal construct theory in terms of forensic and social psychology, and examines the possibilities for sexual offender assessment and therapy. Rather than viewing sexual offenders as having a mental illness or possessing a set of pathological personality traits, personal construct theory indicates that all people learn particular ways of understanding their own experience, and use these 'personal constructs' to anticipate the future. Through a variety of experiences, sexual offenders appear to develop a set of constructs that demands a particular understanding of themselves and other people. James Horley suggests that if they desire change sexual offenders can alter these constructs through psychotherapy.

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