COGNITIVE STYLE INVENTORY

Introduction

Concept style of cognitive style:

Concept-style is hypothetical construct that has been developed to explain the process of
mediation between stimulus and response. The term cognitive styles refer to the characteristic
ways in which an individual conceptually organizes the environment. It is viewed that cognitive
style refers to the way an individual filters and processes stimuli so that the environment takes on
psychological meaning. It is representative of this use of term. As such cognitive representations
modify the one-to-one relationship between stimulus and response. If it were not for these
cognitive representations; stimulus would have been irrelevant for the individual as the
individual would respond to stimulation in a robot like fashion.

Cognitive style in terms of consistent patterns of organizing and processing information. Coop
and Sigel (1971) equated cognitive style with modes of behavior rather than a mediating process.
They used the term cognitive style is denoting consistencies in individual mode of functioning in
a variety of behavioral stimulations.

Therefore it’s proper to mention here that cognitive style is conceived as one of the aspects of
psychological differentiation. Psychological differentiation refers to differentiate mode of
perceiving, judging and appraising thinks to which people are exposed to under different
conditions. The notion of cognitive style has been defined as self-evident modes of functioning
which the individual shows in his perceptual and intellectual activities (Witkin, et. al., 1962). It’s
conceptualized as stable attitude or habitual strategy which determines A persons typical modes
of perceiving, remembering, and problem solving. There are several types of cognitive
functioning among which field independence are well known. A field independent individual is
found to be passive and less competent in analytical functioning having greater social
orientation. He has poor impulsive control and undifferentiated self-concept. He is more socially
sensitive. On the other hand, a field independent individual is found to be more active and
competent in analytical functioning having less social orientation. He is less impulsive and
socially insensitive.
Dimensions of Cognitive Style:

Theories of cognitive-styles were developed as a result of early studies conducted by Witkin, et.
al., (1954; 1962). These studies results in theories that generally assumed a single dimension of
cognitive style with two extremes. The two extremes were described in general terms by Keen
(1973); Mikenney& Keen (1974) and Botkin (1974) as, Systematic Style and Intuitive Style. The
systematic style is associated with logical, rational behaviour that uses a step-by-step, sequential
approach to thinking, learning, problem-solving and decision-making. In contrast the intuitive-
style is associated with a spontaneous holistic and visual approach. These two styles however did
not reflect the entire spectrum of people’s behaviour with regard to thinking, learning and
especially problem solving and decision-making. Therefore, a multi-dimensional model intended
to reflect the entire spectrum was postulated (Martin, 1983). This model consisted of two
continuum, i.e.,

1. High systematic to low systematic;

2. High intuitive to low intuitive.

On going observational studies, along with effects to develop measurement devices for assessing
cognitive behaviour, have resulted in an expanded version of the original model, which led to the
development of five following styles:

1. Systematic Style- An individual who typically operates with a systematic style uses a
well defined step-by-step approach when solving a problem; looks for an overall method
or pragmatic approach; and then makes an overall plan for solving the problem.
2. Intuitive Style- The individual whose style is intuitive, uses an unpredictable ordering of
analytical steps when solving a problem, relies on experience patterns characterized by
unverbalized areas or hunches and explores and abandons alternatives quickly.
3. Integrated Style- A person with an integrated style is able to change styles quicklyand
easily. Such style changes seem to be unconscious and take place in a matter of seconds.
The result of this “rapid fire” ability is that is appears to generate an energy and a
proactive approach to problem-solving. In fact, integrated people are often referred to as
“problem-seekers” because they consistently attempt to identify potential problems as
well as opportunities in order to find better ways of doing things.
 4. Undifferentiated Style- A person with such a style appears not to distinguish or
differentiate between the two style extremes; i.e., systematic and intuitive and therefor;
appears not to display a style. In a problem solving situation, he will exhibit a receptivity
to instructions or guidelines from outside sources. Undifferentiated individuals tend to be
withdrawn, passive and reflective and often look to others for problem-solving strategies.
5. Split Style- An individual with split style shows fairy equal degrees of systematic and
intuitive specialization. However, people with a split style do not possess an integrated
behavioural response; instead, they exhibit each separate dimension in completely
different settings; using only one style at a time based on nature of their tasks. In other
words, they consciously respond to problem-solving by selecting the most appropriate
style.

Special Note:
 Out of the above five styles, items in the inventory have been constructed for *
systematic style and * Intuitive style.
 Interpretation of high & low scores on the systematic and intuitive style have been
made for *integrated style* undifferentiated style and *split style.

TOOL DESCRIPTION :

Cognitive style inventory (CSI) is a self-report measure of the ways of thinking judging,
remembering, storing information, decision making and believing in interpersonal relationship.
Cognition is a mediating process that is the center of a resurgence of interest. The current
cognitive learning perspective is that organism responds to its cognitive construction of the
environment rather than to the objective reality. Several common characteristics among the
cognitive approaches to personality that have become popular during the last twenty years; were
described as’

1. Individual difference in style of thinking as a starting point

2. An emphasis on style over contract
3. cognitive styles are related to other personality characteristics of individuals
4. The treatment of cognitive style as traits- the characteristics are dependent of situational
influences, a position leading to an emphasis on the consistency of the style.
Cognitive style inventory (CSI) is designed on the basis of the rationale as conceived by Martin
(1983) who identifies cognitive styles that imply preferred and consistent patterns of responses
that are both habitual and unconscious as well as deliberate. Thus having conceptualized
cognitive style as anunidimensional psychological state of an individual. It was planned to
develop a comprehensive inventory to measure the dimension of cognitive style, quite suitable
for Indian sample. This inventory consists of 40 statement or items with five point Likert scale
response, strongly agree to strongly disagree. The final form of cognitive style inventory has half
of the items of systematic style and half to the intuitive style. The order of items was randomly
distributed in the final form of cognitive style inventory. The cognitive style inventory
standardized with the sample study of 725 individuals with the age group 18+ years

RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE TEST

Reliability of the cognitive style inventory was determined by test-retest method and split half
method. split half reliability found to be .653 and the full length reliabilities from .78 to .83 and
quite high and is significant at 0.1 level of significance

The validity of the test was determined by three methods, like JudgesValidity, Internal validity
and concurrent validity. The concurrent validity was found to be 0.262. internal validity stands
for care taken in test construction itself. Here the internal validity was determined by calculating
discriminative power of each item in terms of Phi-coefficient correlation and Chi-square.

Reference

Dr. Praveen Kumar Jha, Manual for cognitive style inventory, H P Bhargava Book house,
Agra,

METHODOLOGY

AIM: To assess the cognitive styles of individual.

PLAN: To measure the cognitive styles; systematic and intuitive style, in the subjects by
administering the cognitive style inventory developed by Dr. Praveen Kumar Jha.

MATERIAL REQUIRED:
  Cognitive style inventory developed by Dr. Praveen Kumar Jha.
 Norms and scoring keys

PROCEDURE:

The experimenter has to select the subject belongs to the age group of 18 + years. The subject is
seated comfortably and establishes a rapport and gives clear instruction about the inventory and
the way of responses in five point scale. The subject is given a question booklet to answer to the
statements, by choosing an alternative given below the question and tick (√) the corresponding
alternative responses. The subject has been given max 20 minutes to complete the task, but there
is no time limit. After the completion of responses the answer sheet have to be collected and
proceed further analysis and interpretation the cognitive styles by using keys and norms. The raw
scores were converted into Z-score with the help of z table in manual and the same will be used
for find the level of the cognitive styles on systematic and Intuitive.

INSTRUCTION

“Here is the booklet to assess your cognitive styles by using 40statements , response in the five
point scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Open the first page of booklet and read the
instruction given in the front sheet for more clarity, if you have any doubts clarify with me. And
try to response to all the statement and complete entire question with in the maximumtime limit
of 20 minutes.

POINT TO ANALYSIS

The subject’s responses were scored with the help of scoring key

The raw scores are converted into Z- score and the same interpreted the style
 SCORE INTERPRETATION

High score on systematic scale and low on Systematic cognitive style

intuitive scale
High score on intuitive scale and low on Intuitive cognitive style
systematic scale
High score on both scales systematic and Integrated cognitive style – has ability to
intuitive change style quickly
Low score on both the scales systematic and Undifferentiated cognitive styles
intuitive
Average in both the scale- systematic and Split-cognitive style.
intuitive

Table 1 shows the subject scores in two dimensions of cognitive style with total and Z-score.

Subject initial: Interpretation

&Level of cognitive
Dimension of cognitive style Total score Z-score style
Systematic Intuitive
cognitive style cognitive style
Z-score
Interpretation

INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION
 Table 2 shows the group subject’s scores in two dimension of cognitive styles with total and
Z-score

Dimension of cognitive style Interpretation

Sln Systematic Intuitive cognitive Total Z- &Level of cognitive
o Subject initial cognitive style style score score style
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total
Z-score
Interpretation

GROUP DISCUSSION
Slno
Subject Total
initial I II III IV score Z-score Level of concept attainment
1

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total
mean

GROUP DISCUSSION