Forms of thinking styles
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The document discusses Robert Sternberg's theory of thinking styles. It describes the different functions, forms, levels, scopes and leanings of thinking styles. Specifically, it outlines three thinking functions - legislative, executive, and judicial. It also discusses four thinking forms - monarchic, hierarchic, oligarchic, and anarchic. The levels of thinking refer to global and local styles. The scopes are internal and external styles. Finally, it covers liberal and conservative leaning styles. Understanding one's thinking style helps understand how one perceives and approaches various activities.
Forms of thinking styles
- 1. qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqw ertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwert yuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopa Forms Of Thinking Styles sdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdf ghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj klzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklz xcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcv bnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwe rtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty uiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfg hjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjk February 28, 2014 Mehul Chopra
- 2. CONTENTS WHAT IS THINKING STYLE? By Dr. Robert Sternberg FUNCTIONS OF THINKING STYLES FORMS OF THINKING STYLES LEVELS OF THINKING STYLES SCOPE OF THINKING STYLES LEANINGS OF THINKING STYLES SUMMARY REFERENCES 1 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 3. WHAT IS THINKING STYLE According to Dr. Robert Sternberg, the human mind functions in a way that is similar to the government. In fact, governments are mere extensions of the individuals. Just like governments have different functions, forms, levels, orientations and leanings so does the mind. According to Sternberg, “What happens to us in life depends not just on how well we think but also on how we think….understanding thinking styles can help people better understand why some activities fit them and others don’t, and even why some people fit them and others don’t.” Sternberg believed that people acquire their thinking styles through socialization. Understanding of thinking styles is important because it’ll help people perceive: 1) Which activities fit them and which do not 2) Why some people suit them and others do not. 2 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 4. FUNCTIONS OF THINKING STYLES There are three functions of thinking styles: legislative, executive and judicial. 1) People with Legislative styleof thinking like doing things on their own way. They like creating, formulating, and planning things. This type of style favors creativity. This is because creative people need to come with new ideas and they also have a desire to do so. Individuals with this thinking style like activities such as creative writing, inventing new things, designing innovative projects, starting new businesses etc. EXAMPLE: I am following the legislative style of thinking because I like to create and plan things. Creating, formulating, planning things requires far sightedness. I make my own rules and follow them. As said this style favors creativity. I like doing the work differently and creatively which requires innovations, designing and inventions. I even appreciate the creative minds. 2) Executive style of thinking people generally prefer being given guidance as to what or how to do what needs to be done. They like following rules and prefer to deal with problems that are structured. 3 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 5. This style of thinking is valued in schools and organizations. People with this thinking style do what is told to them and they do it cheerfully. EXAMPLE: I am partially following the Executive style of thinking As I always first want to try the work being given on my own and if I do not succeed then I look for the guidance on how the work needs to be done. Individuals with this thinking style prefer solving well defined mathematical problems, applying rules, and giving lessons on other people ideas. I do not like solving well defined complex mathematical problems as I am not good at that. I like doing creative things rather than solving trigonometry questions. 3) Judicial peopleprefer evaluating rules and procedures and judging situations. They favor problems which can be analyzed and evaluated. This style of thinking is often not given the importance it deserves. In organizations individuals with an executive style are promoted to higher levels of management even though the legislative and judicial styles are more desirable at higher levels. EXAMPLE: 4 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 6. I am following judicial style of thinking as I prefer giving opinions and advices to people, judging people and their work and evaluating programs. I help out people by giving opinion and advice to the people who are in need of some kind of help. FORMS OF THINKING STYLES Sternberg differentiated between four types of thinking styles: monarchic, hierarchic, oligarchic and anarchic. These different forms of thinking styles affect the way an individual approaches the world to its problems. 1) MONARCHIC FORM People who exhibit a monarchic style tend to be motivated by a single goal or need at a time. They are single minded, concentrate only on one issue and assess a situation only from their point of view. EXAMPLE: I am not following the monarchic form of thinking style as I am not single minded and also when I had to look upon some situation, I not only assess it just from my point of view but also try and think from others point of view whether the decision taken will be in favor of society as a whole. 2) HIERARCHIC FORM 5 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 7. They are motivated by hierarchy of goals. They tend to be systematic and organized when formulating their solutions to the problems and in their decision making. EXAMPLE: I usually follow the hierarchic form of thinking style as I like things to be systematic and organized. I try setting priorities before doing any work. I will always do the work which is of core important first. The less important work I will divide between my subordinates with the given resources. 3) OLIGARCHIC FORM It is same like Hierarchic form but they have difficulties in deciding which goals to give priority to. They also might have problem with allocation of resources. EXAMPLE: Sometimes having so many goals and decisions which are to be made at the same time creates pressure and frustrates you. So in this kind of situation I might be following oligarchic form of thinking style where I might feel problem allocating people and resources. 4) ANARCHIC FORM 6 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 8. People with anarchic form of thinking style have a tendency of being motivated by variety of needs and goals. They are usually creative. EXAMPLE: Yes I am following the anarchic form as I get motivated if I am assured of my need being fulfilled after my work/target gets completed effectively and efficiently. I try to be creative while doing my work. LEVELS OF THINKING STYLES 1) GLOBAL THINKING STYLE They prefer dealing with broad concepts as well as relatively large and often abstract issues. EXAMPLE: As I said before also that I would always look forward on the core and broader issues first which would require my urgent attention. Therefore I will follow global thinking style as I would first see into the broader issues and concepts first and then go into the minute details. 2) LOCAL THINKING STYLES They prefer dealing with details, sometimes minute ones, which often surround concrete issues. EXAMPLE: 7 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 9. I partially follow the local thinking style as I would first look into the broader issues and after solving the issue, I will focus on the minute details. SCOPE OF THINKING STYLES 1) INTERNAL THINKING STYLE People with this thinking style are likely to be introverted i.e. people focuses primarily on their own mind and affairs. These people are task oriented and socially less sensitive then other people. They like to work alone and lack interpersonal awareness. EXAMPLE: I do not follow internal thinking style as I like to work in a group rather than doing it alone. I am more kind of extrovert, people oriented, outgoing and socially more sensitive. 2) EXTERNAL THINKING STYLE People with this style are more extroverts and socially more sensitive. In general, they prefer working in groups. EXAMPLE: I am following this style as I am more socially sensitive and like working in groups. Also I am more people oriented as well as extrovert and outgoing. LEANINGS OF THINKING STYLES 1) LIBERAL THINKING STYLES 8 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS
- 10. They like surpassing existing rules and attempt to maximize changes. They also seek and are comfortable with multiple interpretations. EXAMPLE: I am not following this style as I would not prefer changing certain rules and regulation just for my comfort. Though I will look forward to change the rules which need to be change with the time and are vague and controversial in the current scenario. 2) CONSERVATIVE LEANINGS They like to adhere existing rules and procedures, minimize changes and avoid ambiguous situations. EXAMPLE: As I said earlier that I would prefer not to change rules and procedures therefore I am following the conservative style of thinking. I prefer familiarity in life and work. 9 WILSON COLLEGE FY BMS