Memetics discussion list archive (associated with <a href=\jom-emit>Jom-EMIT</a>): Personal Constructs and Memes

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Thanks for your prompt and friendly response, I will try to answer =
your questions.Your responses were very helpful.

A repertory grid is a matrix of ratings or rankings in which some set of =
elements are elaborated along some construct dimension, For example, we =
might use a list of ten memes as the elements and rate them on a list of =
eight constructs, such as promotes civility, historically relevant, =
ambiguous, and so forth. The elements are generally listed as the =
column headings and the constructs as the row headings, =20

Another type of grid is called the coordinate grid (my invention). In =
this grid the row and column headings are the same and are called =
figures, The person ranks the figures to one another according to some =
criterion, such as "general similarity." The coordinate grid can be =
analyzed for logical consistency and integrative complexity. Logical =
consistency concerns the transitivity of the rankings, If a person =
looses track of her definitions or is psychologically motivated to =
ignore or fabricate some aspects of the "general similarity" space in =
some comparisons (for example, the similarity of wife to mother), then =
inconsistencies emerge in the analysis, My studies have shown that the =
coordiate grid measure of logical inconsistency is sensitive to =
simulated contradictions and lies, Random grids are the most =
inconsistent, followed by those of schizophrenics, neurotics and young =
children. This measure can also be thought of as reflecting a kind of =
semantic chess game in which some constructs tear the fabrics of other =
constructs meanings. It measures a kind of semantic violence.=20

Since we can choose what to use as figures, we can objectively assess =
the logical consistency of just about any person's views of anything, =
making the assessment based on the person's own premises. Since it is =
possible for those premises to be factually incorrect though consistent =
with one another, consistency does not necessarily imply truth. Many =
bigoted people are logical so long as they restrict their constructions =
to certain premises and information. This makes them very difficult to =
reason with. Inconsistency, on the other hand, does imply untruth. =20

Integrative complexity concerns the extent to which each figure =
contributes an equal amount of information in defining "general =
similarity." This is especially important when the figures are people, =
Poor integrative complexity is usually a type of stereotyping, People =
high in integrative complexity tend to be more flexible and better at =
integrating information, Older kids also tend to be more integratively =
complex. Perfect integrative complexity produces a self similar pattern =
of elaboration:

This can be expanded in size by doubling to infinity, The above matrix, =
which I call the mandala grid, is also perfectly logical and serves as a =
model of healthy construction of persons, The Platonic solids and other =
forms, which some people refer to as "sacred geometry" are also =
perfectly integratively complex.

My measure of causation allows us to infer causation from correlation, =
Do not laugh too hard, I have presented the method to thousands of =
statisticians and not one has been able to disprove it. Several eminent =
methodologists have admitted that it appears to work, Most people just =
dismiss it without being able to argue their case with logic or data, Ad =
hominems are still alive and well in academe. Anyway, corresponding =
regressions/ correlations allows to determine is some variable (whole) =
is made up of other variables (parts). This is what Aristotle called =
formal causation. I have a paper that can be downloaded on this the =
following sight:=20
http://www.wynja.com/chambers/regression.html

Additional papers are now under review and it looks like they are going =
to be accepted.

Corresponding regressions/correlations can be used to trace the =
evolution of variables.

The distinction between loose and tight constructs is found in George =
Kelly's personal construct theory, In essence, a loose construct is one =
that retains its identity but changes its element relations with the =
context, The personal construct literature has had a great deal of =
trouble distinguishing loose from illogical construction but according =
to Kelly they are not the same (the coordinate grid measure does not =
confound the two). An example of loose but logical construction might =
be getting different factor structures for the same constructs, across =
male versus female elements. There is nothing illogical about this. =
Friendly may have a common abstract meaning for both sets of elements =
but differ in details for the two sets of elements. =20

Well that is my ten minute version of 25 years, Are there any parallels =
between personal constructs and memes?

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A repertory grid is a matrix of = ratings or=20 rankings in which some set of elements are elaborated along some = construct=20 dimension, For example, we might use a list of ten memes as the elements = and=20 rate them on a list of eight constructs, such as promotes civility, = historically=20 relevant, ambiguous, and so forth. The elements are generally = listed as=20 the column headings and the constructs as the row headings, =

Another type of grid is called the = coordinate=20 grid (my invention). In this grid the row and column headings are the = same and=20 are called figures, The person ranks the figures to one another = according to=20 some criterion, such as "general similarity." The = coordinate=20 grid can be analyzed for logical consistency and integrative complexity. = Logical=20 consistency concerns the transitivity of the rankings, If a person = looses track=20 of her definitions or is psychologically motivated to ignore or = fabricate=20 some aspects of the "general similarity" space in some = comparisons=20 (for example, the similarity of wife to mother), then inconsistencies = emerge in=20 the analysis, My studies have shown that the coordiate grid = measure of=20 logical inconsistency is sensitive to simulated contradictions and = lies, =20 Random grids are the most inconsistent, followed by those of = schizophrenics,=20 neurotics and young children. This measure can also be thought of = as=20 reflecting a kind of semantic chess game in which some constructs tear = the=20 fabrics of other constructs meanings. It measures a kind of semantic=20 violence.

Since we can choose what to use as = figures, we=20 can objectively assess the logical consistency of just about any = person's views=20 of anything, making the assessment based on the person's own = premises. =20 Since it is possible for those premises to be factually incorrect though = consistent with one another, consistency does not necessarily imply = truth. =20 Many bigoted people are logical so long as they restrict their = constructions to=20 certain premises and information. This makes them very difficult to = reason with.=20 Inconsistency, on the other hand, does imply untruth. =

Integrative complexity concerns the = extent to=20 which each figure contributes an equal amount of information in defining = "general similarity." This is especially important when the = figures=20 are people, Poor integrative complexity is usually a type of = stereotyping,=20 People high in integrative complexity tend to be more flexible and = better at=20 integrating information, Older kids also tend to be more integratively=20 complex. Perfect integrative complexity produces a self similar = pattern of=20 elaboration:

This can be expanded in size by = doubling to=20 infinity, The above matrix, which I call the mandala grid, is also = perfectly logical and serves as a model of healthy construction of=20 persons, The Platonic solids and other forms, which some people = refer to=20 as "sacred geometry" are also perfectly integratively=20 complex.

My measure of causation allows us to = infer=20 causation from correlation, Do not laugh too hard, I have = presented the=20 method to thousands of statisticians and not one has been able to = disprove it.=20 Several eminent methodologists have admitted that it appears to = work, Most=20 people just dismiss it without being able to argue their case with logic = or=20 data, Ad hominems are still alive and well in academe. Anyway, = corresponding=20 regressions/ correlations allows to determine is some variable (whole) = is made=20 up of other variables (parts). This is what Aristotle called = formal=20 causation. I have a paper that can be downloaded on this the = following=20 sight:

The distinction between loose and tight constructs = is found in=20 George Kelly's personal construct theory, In essence, a loose construct = is one=20 that retains its identity but changes its element relations with the=20 context, The personal construct literature has had a great deal of = trouble=20 distinguishing loose from illogical construction but according to Kelly = they are=20 not the same (the coordinate grid measure does not confound the = two). An=20 example of loose but logical construction might be getting different = factor=20 structures for the same constructs, across male versus female elements. = There is=20 nothing illogical about this. Friendly may have a common abstract = meaning=20 for both sets of elements but differ in details for the two sets of=20 elements.