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Prescott Lecky: Pioneer in consistency theory and cognitive therapy
Author(s) -
Stevens Michael J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(199211)48:6<807::aid-jclp2270480615>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - consistency (knowledge bases) , psychology , personality theory , personality , cognition , psychological theory , self perception theory , epistemology , personality development , cognitive psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology , cognitive science , artificial intelligence , computer science , philosophy , neuroscience
Prescott Lecky's theory of self‐consistency consists of an organization of ideas that revolve around those of the self and a master motive that serves to preserve and modify the unity of ideas. Self‐consistency theory anticipated several cognitive‐phenomenological theories of personality and remains relevant to contemporary personality and clinical psychologists. Regrettably, Lecky left few details about the structure, processes, and development of personality. This paper first will review Lecky's career, theory, and influence. Next, the nuclear theory of the mind, attributed to Frederick Thorne, will be described. The nuclear theory refines and extends Lecky's work and will be evaluated on conceptual, empirical, and practical grounds.