Holistic / Serialistic

Thinking
Holist/Serialist cognitive style has been defined according to the two different
ways of selecting and organising information in learning complex subject matter:
building an overview of the topic itself or building concrete operations (Pask).

Serialist
uses step-by-step approach
focused on details and
procedures;
this is a data-driven style.
Holist
prefers a global approach to a
material using broad
descriptions;
tends to relate everything with
everything in a complex
multilevel information
structure;
this is a hypotheses-driven
style.
 Field dependent learners
experience difficulties to find
the information they are
looking for because other
contextual stimuli tend to
impede it (to make it difficult or
impossible to move or make
progress);
focus on total context of a
problem;
are more likely to create their
own models when trying to
understand a perceived field;
prefer more structured learning
environment with well-
organised material.
Field independent learners
easy distinguish the relevant
information from surrounding it
components;
focus on specific features of a
problem;
are more fixed to the
explanation format that has
been proposed and have a
tendency to accept  information
without restructuring and
reorganizing it;
prefer a learning context with a
minimal direction and
maximum resources.
Impulsivity – Reflectivity
In this style the tendency is to take decisions fast or slow.

Impulsive learners Reflective learners

respond faster and make answer slower but commit
more mistakes; fewer performance errors;
go straightway to analyze the situation
implementation of the first carefully and analytically
idea that has come in depending on the various
mind… alternatives.
 Verbiliser - Visualiser
This cognitive style measures the preference of people to attend and
organise visual or verbal information (Kirby, Moore & Schofield).

Verbalisers Visualisers
prefer to process learn better from
information by reading diagrams, graphics and
or listening. pictures.