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PPT1 - Understanding Thinking Styles

This document discusses Robert Sternberg's theory of mental self-government, which identifies five dimensions of thinking styles: functions, forms, levels, scopes, and leanings. Each dimension contains styles that describe an individual's preferred way of thinking, such as having a legislative, global, internal, or liberal style. The theory aims to understand differences in how people approach tasks and problems based on their thinking style profile, rather than their abilities.

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Lei Chung Hang
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142 views14 pages

PPT1 - Understanding Thinking Styles

This document discusses Robert Sternberg's theory of mental self-government, which identifies five dimensions of thinking styles: functions, forms, levels, scopes, and leanings. Each dimension contains styles that describe an individual's preferred way of thinking, such as having a legislative, global, internal, or liberal style. The theory aims to understand differences in how people approach tasks and problems based on their thinking style profile, rather than their abilities.

Uploaded by

Lei Chung Hang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ITC1001D / ITC1A01

Understanding thinking styles


(Sternberg, 1997)

Page 1
Thinking Styles

• Developed by Dr. Robert Sternberg in 1988.

• Mental Self-Government into 5 Dimensions, namely


functions, forms, levels, scopes, leanings.

• Organizing an individual ≈ organizing a society

• People need to perform like a government in their own


thinking and working.

• Thinking involves representation and processing of


information in the mind.

Page 2
A Style vs An Ability

• A thinking style is a preferred way of thinking.

• It is not an ability, but rather how we use the abilities we


have.

• Given the abilities, one can arrange to tackle a task to fit


their styles, or vice versa.

• We do not have a style, but rather a profile of styles.

• Understanding styles help understand why some


activities fit them, and other don’t.

Page 3
Theory of Mental Self-government

Dimensions Styles

Functions Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Forms Monarchic, Hierarchic, Oligarchic, Anarchic

Levels Global, Local

Scopes External, Internal

Leanings Liberal, Conservative

Page 4
Functions of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FUNCTIONS
– People tend to perform these functions in their own thinking and working

• Like to do things their own • Conducive to creativity


way • Like writing essays, rather
Legislative • Like to create, formulate multiple choices
and plan things • Entrepreneurs and start-ups
• Like to make their own rules • Scientists, writers, inventors

Page 5
Functions of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FUNCTIONS
– People tend to perform these functions in their own thinking and working

• Like to do as told and guided • Like to apply and solve


• Like to follow and enforce problems
rules and laws, and • Peer group pressure
Executive directions encourages executive style
• Tolerate bureaucracies • Government officials
• Prefer problems given or • Administrators, teachers
structured to them • Applied researchers

Page 6
Functions of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FUNCTIONS
– People tend to perform these functions in their own thinking and working.

• Like to analyze and evaluate


• Prefer problems to analyze
rules and procedures,
Judicial and evaluate
existing things and ideas
• Judges, critics, system analyst
• Like to judge things

Page 7
Forms of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FORMS
– People have different ways of approaching the world and its problems.

• Single-minded and driven


• Like to immerse oneself
person
in a single project,
Monarchic • Do one thing at a time
whether art, science,
• Tends not to let anything get in
history, business
the way

Page 8
Forms of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FORMS
– People have different ways of approaching the world and its problems.

• Enjoy to do a hierarchy of things • Know time management


• Recognize to set priorities • Fit well in schools and
Hierarchic
• Accept complexities and view organizations if priorities
things at different angles match

Page 9
Forms of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FORMS
– People have different ways of approaching the world and its problems.

• Similar to Hierarchic person, but


• With minimal guidance
has trouble setting priorities
Oligarchic for better effective
• Often motivated by competing
results
goals

Page 10
Forms of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

FORMS
– People have different ways of approaching the world and its problems.

• Likes to take a random approach • Have troubles in a rigid


to problems; dislike systems, environment
Anarchic
guidelines, and practically all • Great potential for
constraints creative contribution

Page 11
Levels of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

LEVELS
– People have their ways of dealing with details.

• Likes to deal with big picture, • See the forest rather than
Global
generalities, abstractions the trees

• Likes to deal with details, • See the trees rather than


Local
specifics, concrete examples the forest

Page 12
Scopes of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

SCOPES
– People have their own way of working with others.

• Likes to work along, focus • Prefers to do individual


Internal
inward, be self-sufficient project or assignment

• Likes to work with others, focus • Prefers to do group


External
outward, be interdependent project

Page 13
Leanings of Mental Self-government

Style Characteristics Example

LEANINGS
– People have their own tendencies to follow procedures.

• Likes to do things in new ways,


• Like to try new things
challenge conventions
Liberal • Prefers open-classroom
• Likes to go beyond existing rules
setting
and procedures
• Likes to do things in tried and • Like to follow ways to do
true ways, follow conventions things
Conservative
• Minimize change • Prefers traditional
• Avoid ambiguous situation classroom setting

Page 14

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