Relationship Between Critical Thinking Dispositions and Cognitive Styles

• In Event: 56.048 - Cognitive and Noncognitive Assessment

Abstract

In order demonstrate critical thinking one must not only possess the abilities, or skills, of effective critical thinking but also the tendency to use them in the appropriate circumstances. Learning styles and thinking styles have been associated with critical thinking dispositions (Zhang, 2003; Gadzella & Masten, 1998; Collucciello, 1999), however, no such relationship between cognitive style and critical thinking disposition was discovered to have been investigated in the literature by the author. As cognitive style relates to how one processes information (Zhang, 2003) it seems a logical factor to explore in terms of critical thinking disposition. The current study is exploratory and compares the results of a critical thinking disposition inventory to a measure of cognitive style.

Authors

• Christopher C. Garland, Northeastern State University - Tahlequah

• James R. May, Oklahoma State University