PROJECTIVE METHOD
Psychologists have realized since the 1930’s the power of projective tests to access the deeper self. The Rorschach Ink Blot test is the most well known though there are numerous others. However it has always proved difficult to get reliable results from such tests. The PEP has created a solution to this problem by integrating its unique projective technique with its unique structured questionnaire.

VISUALISATION
Other profiles return their findings solely by a written or diagramatic behavioural report. Such reports are often dry and, whilst they may be accurate if honestly filled in, may prove of less value in enabling life change and development. This is because we often only change our behaviour if we can visualise different possible behaviours. The PEP creates a way to do just that- visualising both yourself as you are and yourself as you could be. Drawing on cognition theories and metaphor therapy the PEP engages the emotions and helps people move beyond ideas to sight and then action.

RECENT THEORY
The PEP is based upon its own unique constructionist psychological theory developed through research at Oxford University. This draws on recent advances in psychological understanding of personality and other areas. Important notions such as self-expansion, self-presentation, attachment theory and cognition inform the underlying PEP model. It supports a comprehensive new personality theory. This theory unpacks the difference between the two ‘selves’ in any individual- the front stage and the back stage; enables understanding of psychological strategies an individual uses; predicts responses to stress; opens up choices and possibilities for change; highlights hidden unconscious issues and obstacles

PSYCHOMETRIC
The PEP has been developed using statistical methods to establish its reliability and validity. However, a number of unique aspects of the PEP need to be understood when considering these properties:

• The PEP is a process rather than a test. Unlike other tests, it does not provide a one off 'snapshot', but an emerging picture of the story of a person's development.
• Some reliability statistical tests are therefore not applicable- such as test-retest. On other reliability measures the PEP scores within acceptable norms for statistical tests.
• The PEP compares a person's present state with their personal history and future. A conventional test compares a person with a wider population sample. Becuase of this longitudinal studies over at least 12 months are the best measure of the PEP.
• The PEP therefore indicates measures such as the stability and patterns of dynamic interaction of the traits over time, aswell as raw, singular measures.
• Intra- and interpopulation statistics are emerging with some interesting predictive validity results. However, because of the dynamic nature of the factors objectified, only longitudinal studies will offer stable indicators for wider population norms.
• Factor analysis indicates 7 factors are being objectified by the PEP process. The PEP is based upon a 7 factor personality model.
• The growing sample of personal and team case studies best indicate the validity of the PEP as a development process.

RIGHT BRAIN
The resurgence of recent psychological interest in right brain creativity reflects the growing re-integration of the sciences, humanities and the arts. The PEP spans the divides by utilising imagery to access, unlock and develop a person’s right brain awareness and potential from within a psychological framework. It helps to show how right brain creativity is a feature of all people not just some and how the imagination can be the most powerful facility for human living.


THE FOLLOWING TEXTS REPRESENT A SELECT SAMPLE OF THE RESEARCH LITERATURE WHICH HAS INFORMED THE PRIMARY RESEARCH FOR THE PEP

Altman, et al. in Walsh W.B., K.H.Craik and Price, R.H., eds. Person-Environment Psychology: Models and Perspectives, Hillsdale NJ, Erlbaum, 1992
Bochner, A.P, Ellis. C. and Tillmann-Healy L.M., Relationships as Stories, In Duck. S.W. ed. A Handbook of Personal Relationships, John Wiley and Sons, 1997
Baumeister, R.F and Leary, M.R., The need to belong, Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497-529
Baumeister R.F, Smart L., and Boden J.M, Relation of threatened egotism to violence and aggression: the dark side of high self esteem, Psychological review, 103, 5-33
Bartholomew, K. and Horowitz, L.M., (1991), Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four category model, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226-244,
Bowlby, J., Attachment and Loss, Vol 1, 1969, Vol 2, 1973, Vol 3, 1980, New York, basic Books
Carlsen, M-B, Meaning Making: Therapeutic Processes in Adult Development, New York, Norton and Co, Inc.1988,
Duck, S.W. Meaningful Relationships: Talking Sense and Relating. Thousand Oaks, CA Sage 1994
Grove, David, J., and Panzer, Bazil, Resolving Traumatic Memories: Metaphors and Symbols in Psychotherapy, Irvington, New York, 1989
Gergen, Kenneth,The Saturated Self : Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life, New York: Basic Books, 1990
Goffman, E., The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Penguin, 1959
Jones, E.E. and Pittman T.S. Toward a General theory of Self presentation in Suls. J (ed.) Psyhcological Perspectives on the Self, Hillsdale, N.J. Erlbaum, 1982
Johnson, J, (1981),The ‘Self-Disclosure’ and ‘Self-Presentational’ views of item response dynamics, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 40, 761-769, Lawley, James and Tompkins, Penny, Metaphors in Mind, Transformation through Symbolic Modeling, The Developing Co. Press, 2000
Snyder, M., Public appearances, private realities: the psychology of self monitoring, New York Freeman, 1987
Siegelman, Ellen Y., Metaphor and Meaning in Psychotherapy, Guildford Press, London, 1990
Tetlock, P and Manstead, A, (1985), Impression management versus intra-psychic explanations, Social Psychology, Psychological review, 92, 59-77 Tice, D, et al. W (1995), When modesty prevails: differential favorability of self-presentation to friends and strangers, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 1120-1134