Projects

• Take the Sternberg-Wagner Thinking Styles Inventory
• Variations of Thinking Styles

Over the past few decades learning styles, thinking styles , and cognitive styles have become an important part of our understanding of how people learn. Styles are preferred methods of thinking or methods of processing information. They are independent of abilities. Styles are methods of using abilities.

The Sternberg-Wagner Thinking Styles Inventory is one of several learning style type inventories (Also see the Multiple Intelligence Inventory). The thinking styles inventory is based on a Theory of Mental Self-Government, developed by Robert Sternberg and his associates. The theory models thinking around a governmental structure. Simply stated, governments require legislators, who create legislation, executors who implement the legislation, and judiciaries, who evaluate or judge whether the legislation is effective or not. These functions within government roughly parallel three functional types of thinkers: creators, implementers, and evaluators.

The Theory of Mental Self-Government also introduces four forms of thinking styles: Monarchic individuals tend to be focused, single minded individuals. Hierarchic individuals tend to be organizers or priority setters. Oligarchic individuals tend to be "multi-taskers", sometimes disorganized, but flexible in their approach to learning. Anarchic individuals might be considered "antisystematic", but are often creative and contribute by questioning the status quo. Functions and forms of thinking styles add to an individual's profile of thinking preferences.

A thinking styles profile also includes levels, scope, and a leaning toward an open or closed way of thinking. Levels of thinking styles span from broad ranging, big picture, global thinking, to narrow ranging, detailed, local thinking. The scope of thinking styles ranges from personal, task-oriented, internal thinking, to social, people oriented, external thinking. The leanings of thinking styles tend to lean toward a liberal or a conservative style. Liberal thinkers think "beyond existing rules and procedures and seek to maximize change". Conservative thinkers on the other hand tend to stick to existing rules and procedures, minimize change, and prefer familiarity.

There are no better or worse, right or wrong, thinking styles. Learners tend to possess aspects of all thinking styles, and those styles tend to change from situation to situation, and over one's lifetime. In groups, a combinations of different types of thinkers can be a powerful tool in collaborative efforts, but by the same token, mismatched combinations of styles can produce less than desirable results; competing styles of different individuals may clash.

It is highly recommended that you find, or purchase, yourself a copy of Robert Sternberg's book "Thinking Styles". It will provide you with detailed descriptions of the various aspects of thinking styles, with practical examples applied to school, employment, and everyday settings.

Note that the inventory linked above, provides standardized results for non-student adults. Standardized results are also available for student adults in Sternberg's book. Some of the inventory items may not be suitable for younger groups. A knowledgeable adult should assist in interpreting results for younger learners.

Your goal in completing the Sternberg-Wagner Thinking Styles Inventory should be to understand how you think within the model associated with the Theory of Mental Self-Government, and to understand that others are likely to think differently than you do. Understand how knowledge of others thinking styles can help you in all walks of life. Be sure to read Variations of Thinking Styles for a brief summary of principles and behavioural characteristics Sternberg associated with thinking styles. Also read Sternberg's article: Allowing for Thinking Styles