Cognitively complex people exhibit more sophisticated ways of using interpersonal constructs when thinking about people and social situations. What four important characteristics demonstrate cognitive complexity? Give an example of each.

What will be an ideal response?


Cognitively complex people have interpersonal constructs that are (1) numerous, (2) abstract, (3) organized, and (4) capable of handling contradictions. First, numerous means that these individuals have large numbers of constructs they can draw upon when thinking about people or situations. Instead of thinking that someone is either nice or mean, they can add more precise judgements such as the person was tired or had a bad day and that’s why they are acting less nice than usual. Second, abstract means that a person can take bits of information about a person, such as they are “nice” and “always send a card on birthdays” and translate that into more general information such as the person is “warm” and “thoughtful.” Organization means that cognitively complex people can link or connect constructs to other constructs. For example, when we think that a person is smart, we may also assume they are quick learners. Finally, capable of handling contradictory information means that cognitively complex people can make sense of contradicting traits. For example, this involves the ability to recognize that even though a person may demonstrate one particular trait such as “being a slow learner,” it does not mean they are “not smart.”

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