Reversing the process of thought disorder: a serial validation experiment

Previous personal construct theory studies of thought disorder suggest that it can be viewed as a state of grossly loosened construing (a weak and unstable network of links between ideas) and that it can fairly be measured by grid method. Later studies in the series indicated that it is people not things which bewilder the thought-disordered patient--it is his role as a 'psychologist' that is specifically damaged. The serial invalidation hypothesis argued that thought disorder is the long-term consequence of a repeated failure to predict accurately the behaviour of others and self, resulting in the disintegration of any organized, personal 'theory' about relationships. The present experiment attempt to reverse the process of thought disorder by first identifying whatever weak, remaining system of expectations the thought-disordered patient manifests and then fulfilling these expectations. Such a process of serial validation might lead to a strengthening of the 'theory' which generated these expectations--a tightening of the construct system. Experimental and control group were closely studied over a two-year period. Results-while tending in the predicted direction--yield a not proven verdict though they leave the argument viable and the experiment worth modified replication.