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Personal Thinking
Styles
Not only do we have our preferred learning and working
styles, we also have our favorite thinking styles. Professor Anthony Gregorc, professor
of curriculum and instruction at the University of Connecticut, has divided these into
four groups:
- Concrete Sequential
- Concrete Random
- Abstract Random
- Abstract Sequential
Concrete Sequential Thinkers tend
to be based in reality. They process information in an ordered, sequential, linear way.
Concrete Random Thinkers are experimenters.
Abstract Random Thinkers organize information through reflection, and thrive
in unstructured, people-oriented environments.
Abstract Sequential Thinkers love the world of theory and abstract thought.
We stress that no thinking style is superior; they are simply different. Each
style can be effective in its own way. The important thing is that you become more aware
of which thinking style works best for you. Once you know your own style you can then
analyze the others. This will help you understand other people better. It will make you
more flexible. And perhaps we can all pick up tips from each other on how to be more
effective.
To check your personal
thinking style:
1. Read each set of words and mark the
two within each set that best describe you. |
| 1 |
a. Imaginative |
9 |
a. Reader |
| |
b. Investigative |
|
b. People person |
| |
c. Realistic |
|
c. Problem Solver |
| |
d. Analytical |
|
d. Planner |
| 2 |
a. Organized |
10 |
a. Memorize |
| |
b. Adaptable |
|
b. Associate |
| |
c. Critical |
|
c. Think-through |
| |
d. Inquisitive |
|
d. Originate |
| 3 |
a. Debating |
11 |
a. Changer |
| |
b. Getting to the point |
|
b. Judger |
| |
c. Creating |
|
c. Spontaneous |
| |
d. Relating |
|
d. Wants direction |
| 4 |
a. Personal |
12 |
a. Communicating |
| |
b. Practical |
|
b. Discovering |
| |
c. Academic |
|
c. Cautious |
| |
d. Adventurous |
|
d. Reasoning |
| 5 |
a. Precise |
13 |
a. Challenging |
| |
b. Flexible |
|
b. Practicing |
| |
c. Systematic |
|
c. Caring |
| |
d. Inventive |
|
d. Examining |
| 6 |
a. Sharing |
14 |
a. Completing work |
| |
b. Orderly |
|
b. Seeing possibilities |
| |
c. Sensible |
|
c. Gaining ideas |
| |
d. Independent |
|
d. Interpreting |
| 7 |
a. Competitive |
15 |
a. Doing |
| |
b. Perfectionist |
|
b. Feeling |
| |
c. Cooperative |
|
c. Thinking |
| |
d. Logical |
|
d. Experimenting |
| 8 |
a. Intellectual |
|
|
| |
b. Sensitive |
|
|
| |
c. Hardworking |
|
|
| |
d. Risk-taking |
|
|
2. After completing the test above:
In the columns below, circle the
letters of the words you chose for each number. Add your totals for
columns I, II, III, and IV. Multiply the total of each column by 4.
The box with the highest number describes how you most often process
information
| |
I |
II |
III |
IV |
| 1. |
C |
D |
A |
B |
| 2. |
A |
C |
B |
D |
| 3. |
B |
A |
D |
C |
| 4. |
B |
C |
A |
D |
| 5. |
A |
C |
B |
D |
| 6. |
B |
C |
A |
D |
| 7. |
B |
D |
C |
A |
| 8. |
C |
A |
B |
D |
| 9. |
D |
A |
B |
C |
| 10. |
A |
C |
B |
D |
| 11. |
D |
B |
C |
A |
| 12. |
C |
D |
A |
B |
| 13. |
B |
D |
C |
A |
| 14. |
A |
C |
D |
B |
| 15. |
A |
C |
B |
D |
| Total |
____ |
____ |
____ |
____ |
|
3. Graph your results.
To graph your preferred thinking
style, just place a dot on the number that corresponds to your score in each of the
classifications and link the dots shown in the miniature diagram. |
| Our thanks to John
LeTellier and Dell Publishing, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10103,
for permission to reprint this test from Quantum Learning, by Bobbi
DePorter. The test is based on research by Professor Anthony Gregorc. |
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