Psychological-mindedness: a conceptual model

Abstract

Previous definitions of psychological-mindedness are reviewed and critiqued, and a new model presented. Though the construct has broad applications for psychotherapy issues, definitions appearing in the literature have lacked precision, inconsistently specifying the inclusion of and the interrelationships between the components of interest, ability, affect, and intellect. The simple yet comprehensive model presented here separates and defines the components and specifies their interrelationships. Accurate psychological-mindedness is defined as reflectivity about psychological processes, relationships, and meanings, and is displayed by an individual to the extent that he or she displays both interest in and ability for such reflectivity, and across both affective and intellectual dimensions. Ability is contributed to and limited by interest, and intellectual psychological-mindedness is contributed to and limited by affective psychological-mindedness. Implications for measurement and research are discussed.