Psychoframe™ Principles and Applications

This introductory page explains how the Psychoframe was developed and how it is applied in individual and group situations.

It provides background information for people who are going to use the Psychoframe to analyse their own and other peoples' behaviour using the Psychoframe Method.

PsychoframeTheory

Basic Overview

The Psychoframe is a tool for analyzing the different psychological frameworks that people apply to themselves, others and groups.

A Psychoframe is sometimes constructed and applied consciously, but more often it is used unconsciously and the person or group using the constructs in their Psychoframe never get the benefit of managing their behavior.

When it is constructed consciously, a Psychoframe consists of a number of descriptors (usually four to five) of how people or groups behave and/or what beliefs seem to determine their behavior.

The methods for arriving at a Psychoframe can include psychological or "type" testing or analysis but as these processes always involve some form of self report for collecting the information in the first place or to verify the results, the science remains an elaboration of what you think or what someone thinks you think.

This is not to say that personality testing is not a valid and reliable tool for many situations, the point here is to emphasize the personal nature of personality testing compared to the physical nature of ability testing where there are right and wrong answers.

The Psychoframe works on the principle that the shortest, simplest and most immediately understandable description of behavior is the most useful and results in the greatest ownership of the descriptions. In addition, the Psychoframe is personal to you and faking it defeats the whole purpose of using it.

It is very important to understand the difference between tools for self-development like the Psychoframe and tools for clinical assessment, which should only be used by a qualified professional. The Psychoframe is more a social learning tool than a psychological tool, but the use of the term psychological seems to give a broader coverage of the aims and its uses.

You are in charge of the Psychoframe process and you should give the results you develop the weight and value that you feel they deserve by virtue of your confidence in the process and your ability to use it. In short, by being in charge of the process you remain responsible and take the credit at all times for what you decide or achieve.

The Psychoframei s no different to any other tool you might choose to help you do a physical task and in complexity terms it is designed to be a psychological paint brush not a magic wand. If you remember this basic principle, it will be a useful tool. If you expect it to do the work, you will be disappointed and end up with a poor outcome.

How to use the Psychoframe

Like all social tools, the Psychoframei s essentially about using words to express feelings. However, the Psychoframe goes a few steps further by asking you to prioritize the strength of the feelings as you see them and, as you progress, compare the sets of feelings in a structured way.

Basically, common words to express feelings about behavior are listed on the Psychoframe Checklist and Profile Sheet to assist you in determining the best descriptors for the behavior of the person or group involved, but the list is definitely not the limit of what you can use to arrive at the Psychoframe. This limit is set by your perception of the behavior and your ability to describe it in words that are meaningful to you (and to others if they are to be involved in understanding the Psychoframe).

Once you have completed the Psychoframe, some of the things you can use if for include

· Understanding and explaining behavior
· Compatibility analysis with other people, groups or organizations
· Interpersonal strategy, negotiation and dispute resolution
· Personal goal setting or coaching against an ideal Psychoframe· Skills goal setting or coaching against a vocational Psychoframe· Reviewing your progress in behavior management and change

Step-by-Step Process

The basic process for doing a Psychoframe is deceptively simple, but
as the old saying goes, there is more to it than meets the eye. The Psychoframe Checklist and Profile Sheet has detailed instructions but the Step by Step process is as follows:

1. Identify the individual or group/organization that is the Subject of the Psychoframe. You may wish to use a code name to maintain confidentiality.

2. Choose the Purpose of the Psychoframe from the list provided or enter your own choice.

3. Choose the Psychoframe descriptors from the prompt list or using words that you think best describe the behavior and list them in random order on the Preliminary Descriptor List at the bottom of the page.

4. Transfer the descriptors in order of importance to the Profile Sheet.

5. Make any explanatory notes that you feel are appropriate.

6. Validate the descriptors that form the substance of the Psychoframe by identifying the key behavioral elements that make up the psychological framework.

7. Review the basis for doing the Psychoframe and set out your strategy to meet your goals. This might be personal development through behavior modeling or skills development using an "ideal self" Psychoframe, interpersonal skills or compatibility management by use of another individual or group Psychoframe or development of your Psychoframeby projection or refinement of its contents.

That's it. You have completed the Psychoframe. You can do it as many times as you like, on as many different subjects as you like and you will only get better with practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between the Psychoframe and a set of values?

A person's or group's values are what they say they are using or adhering to, while their Psychoframe is what your observations indicate they are actually using.

How do you describe and measure a Psychoframe?

This is can be both easy and difficult. It is easy when you use observe the actions of someone else or a group, because you describe the actions in words you understand. When you are trying to describe yourself, it can be more difficult because what you believe or think you are doing (your values) and how you act (your Psychoframe) are often different.

What use is the Psychoframe?

It is a structured approach to understanding behavior that improves how you manage your interactions with individuals and groups.