See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: [Link]

net/publication/305114302

Thinking Styles Inventory

Research · July 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1134.7443

CITATIONS READS
0 12,034

2 authors, including:

Kunnathodi Abdul Gafoor

University of Calicut
216 PUBLICATIONS 330 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Student motivation for learning View project

Learning difficulties among school students View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Kunnathodi Abdul Gafoor on 10 July 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Thinking Styles Inventory – 2007

Abdul Gafoor K., * & Lavanya M.P.,**

An Inventory to Identify Thinking Style Preferences and Scale the 13 Thinking Styles on Five Dimensions of
Thinking Based On Theory of Mental Self-Government Put Forward by Robert J. Sternberg In 1997

Table of Contents
Thinking Styles Inventory at a Glance................................................................................................................ 2
Administration ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Scoring .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Part I: Functions of Thinking Style ..................................................................................................................... 2
Part II: Forms of Thinking Style ......................................................................................................................... 2
Part III: Level of Thinking Style ......................................................................................................................... 3
Part IV: Scope of Thinking Styles ...................................................................................................................... 3
Part V: Leanings of Thinking Styles ................................................................................................................... 3
Criterion Validity Coefficient of Scores Obtained on Each Thinking Style .......................................................... 3
Test- Retest Reliability Coefficients of Scores on Thinking Styles ....................................................................... 3
Thinking Styles Inventory (English Version) ......................................................................................................... 4
Part I .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Part II .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
PART III ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
PART IV ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
PART V .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Model Response sheet............................................................................................................................................. 9

© Authors
*Abdul Gafoor K., Reader, Department of Education, University of Calicut, [Link]@[Link]
&
**Lavanya M. P., [Link]. Student, Department of Education
Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
Thinking Styles Inventory
(Based on the theory of mental self-government by Robert J. Sternberg in 1997)
Abdul Gafoor K. Lavanya. M.P.
Thinking Styles Inventory at a Glance
The Thinking Style Inventory is prepared based on the theory of mental self-government put forward by Robert J.
Sternberg in 1997. It can be used with students in secondary school and post-secondary settings. It assess each of the
five dimensions viz., Functions, Form, Scope, Level and Leanings of the Mental self-government and get a score for each
of the thirteen thinking style separately. Dimension of mental self-government and component thinking styles are
included under five sections of thinking style inventory as follows.
possible score
Part Dimension of thinking Style of thinking No. of options/items Minimum Maximum
Legislative 10 0 10
Part I Functions Executive 10 0 10
Judicial 10 0 10
Hierarchic 10 0 10
Monarchic 10 0 10
Part II Form
Oligarchic 10 0 10
Anarchic 10 0 10
Global 8 0 32
Part III Scope
Local 8 0 32
Internal 10 0 40
Part IV Level
External 10 0 40
Liberal 10 0 40
Part V Leanings
Conservative 10 0 40
Administration
It can be administered individually or in groups. There is no time limit, though can be completed by a secondary student
in half an hour. Responses can be made in the separate response sheet.
Scoring
There is no total score for the inventory as a whole. Each thinking style get a separate score. The scoring can be
done as per the given here under.
Part I: Functions of Thinking Style
The number of statements for which options is marked for legislative thinking style is counted and it is assigned
as the Legislative score of the student. Repeat the same procedure for Executive and Judicial styles to obtain executive
score and judicial score. Option representing the three functions of thinking in each items are below.
Item No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Legislative A B B A A C C A B A
Keyed
response Executive B A A B B A A B A B
Judicial C C C C C B B C C C

Part II: Forms of Thinking Style

The scoring procedure is same as that of Part I. Option representing the three forms of thinking in each items
are below.
Qn. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Hierarchic D A B B B B C B B B
Options

Monarchic B B A A A A D A A D
Oligarchic A D D C C C A C C A
2
Page

Anarchic C C C D D D B D D C

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
Part III: Level of Thinking Style
The items are in the form a scale. Each division of the scale has assigned value starting from 0 (left end) to 4
(right end). Since the scale’s left end options are belonging to Global Thinking Style and right end options are of Local
Thinking Style, the marked values added together gives the local thinking style score from which the Global score can be
calculated. The inverse of the score (Total possible score- Global score) is equal to the score of the Local Thinking Style.
Part IV: Scope of Thinking Styles
Part IV is intended to measure Scope of Thinking Styles viz., External and Internal. Since the scale’s left and
option are belonging to External thinking style and right end options are belonging to Internal thinking style the marked
division’s values added together gives the score of Internal Thinking Style from which the External score can be
calculated. The inverse of this score (Total possible score – Internal score) is equal to the scores on External Thinking
Style.
Part V: Leanings of Thinking Styles
Part V is intended to increase the Leanings of thinking styles viz., Conservative and Liberal. Since the scale’s left
end options are belonging to Conservative thinking style and right end options are belonging to Liberal Thinking Style,
the marked divisions values added together gives the score of Liberal Thinking Style from which Conservative Thinking
Style score can be calculated. The inverse of this score (Total possible score – Liberal score) is equal to the score on
Conservative Thinking Style.
Criterion Validity Coefficient of Scores Obtained on Each Thinking Style
Criterion Validity Coefficient of Scores Obtained on Each Thinking Style in the Thinking Style Inventory,
against Sternberg-Wagner Thinking Style Inventory (1991) Scores
Sl. No. Thinking Styles Validity index(r)
1. Legislative 0.71
2. Executive 0.61
3. Judicial 0.59
4. Hierarchic 0.67
5. Monarchic 0.61
6. Oligarchic 0.57
7. Anarchic 0.64
8. Global 0.72
9. Local 0.69
10. External 0.71
11. Internal 0.67
12. Conservative 0.69
13. Liberal 0.58
Test- Retest Reliability Coefficients of Scores on Thinking Styles
Sl. No. Thinking Styles Reliability
Coefficient
1. Legislative 0.97
2. Executive 0.72
3. Judicial 0.69
4. Hierarchic 0.71
5. Monarchic 0.75
6. Anarchic 0.73
7. Oligarchic 0.74
8. Global-Local 0.94
9. External-Internal 0.78
3

10. Liberal-Conservative 0.87

Page

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
Thinking Styles Inventory (English Version)
Abdul Gafoor K. Lavanya. M.P.
Part I
Some situations in your daily life are given in each statements. The four options A, B, and C that could be adopted by you in each
situations are given below. Choose one among them that fits you best and put ‘X’ mark on the letters A, B, or C.

1. When you have to take a decision on some matter concerning you, you will,
a) Take own decision which seem right for yourself.
b) Take a decision in accordance with the suggestion of elders or others.
c) Take a decision after analyzing others opinions.
2. Your opinion about the interference of elders on your matters,
a) One should try maximum to abide their advice.
b) Elders must give more freedom to the young.
c) One should act only after evaluating the opinion of elders.
3. When you have to present a Seminar in your class, you would like,
a) To present a topic suggested by teacher.
b) to present a topic selected by yourself
c) To present a topic by evaluating its social dimension.
4. Which among the following you would like?
a) drawing a picture as per your imagination
b) drawing a picture on seeing a model
c) drawing a modified form of previously seen picture
5. If you have a chance to work in the media you would prefer to
a) Find new sources of news.
b) Explore the details of the disclosed news.
c) to prepare reports as per its news value
6. After reading a good story, usually you will,
a) Try to keep in mind the sum and substance of the story.
b) Evaluate the characters and incidents of the story.
c) Novel ideas come in mind.
7. When an experiment or project is given to you by your teacher, you will,
a) Complete it according to the suggestions of the teacher.
b) Do it by after watching others do it and improving upon their procedure.
c) Do it yourself using own methods which seems correct to you.
8. In your school arts festival, if your friends decided to present a play, which of the following may be your role?
a) direction
b) acting
c) screen play
9. If your are doing an experiment in school lab you will,
a) follow the method as it is described
b) Be eager to do some changes and to watch what will happen.
c) Follow the changes made by others only if it is acceptable to you.
10. In which of the following group would you like to join, in your school youth festival related works?
a) Planning the programme items and making rules for the programme execution.
b) To execute the programmes according to the rules and schedule.
c) To evaluate the programme and items.
4
Page

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
Part II
Some situations in your daily life are given in each statements. The four options A, B, C, and D that could be adopted by you in each
situations are given below. Choose one among them that fits you best and put ‘X’ mark on the letters A, B, C or D.
1. Usually when you write examination, you will,
A)Answer questions more or less on the given order.
B) Answer the questions as per order of own preference.
C) Not keep any particular order.
D) First answer the questions which carry more marks.3
2. If class exams, seminars and art festivals come during the same period of time, you will,
A) prepare for the most interested one
B) The time after the study time will be set apart for others based on priority.
C) Will do as per the immediate convenience.
D) Even though there will be interest towards all, a practical decision will be taken.
3. Usually what makes you to complete a job?
A) Interest towards it
B) Its importance
C) Only if it is challenging enough
D) As per the direction of others
4. If I decide to do something,
A) Other things become clear secondary
B) Necessary adjustments are made to do it along with others
C) It is difficult to carry on till it is complete
D) Often it is left uncompleted
5. If you want to do many things in a short while.
A) All things are completed quickly
B) They are completed based on priority
C) Everything is done all along
D) Most are left incomplete
6. When you think, you
A) Concentrate around one important thing
B) Think step by step
C) Can think of more than one thing at a time
D) Thinks without any order
7. When you face a problem
A) All aspects of the problem get considerable attention
B) The problem leads you to other problem
C) Can see the different aspect of the problem based on its solution.
D) Will think of nothing else till the problem is solved.
8. In most of the problems you face, you,
A) Focus on important matters
B) Classify the things based on importance
C) Will be anxious where to start
D) Will give importance to even minor aspects
9. When you solve problems, you
A) Feel capable of solving the problems.
B) feel that you have solved it systematically
C) feel that it was solved with others help
D) feel that it could be solved due to extraordinary effort
10. When you have to face a few problems together, you
A) Cannot concentrate on any problem
B) Will solve the complex ones slowly
C) Will try to overcome the limitations and solve the problems
5

D) Will concentrate only on one that seems to be important.

Page

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
PART III
Some possible situations in your daily life are given. Two extreme patterns of response that could be adopted are given
below. Based on the intensity of your behaviour mark ‘X’ on the answer sheet by selecting the options A, B, C, D, E
Example:
1. When you meet a person you will observe his dress, behaviour, movements etc.
Will care/observe generally A B C D E will care/observe specifically
A. If you care/observe a person generally
Mark A
B. If you care him generally occasionally
Mark B
C. If you care him sometimes generally and sometimes specifically.
Mark C
D. If you care them specifically most often
Mark D
E. If your care them specifically always
Mark E

1. When you meet a person for the first time, you attend the person,
Overall A B C D E In detail

2. When you purchase note books or study aids,

Will purchase the beautiful ones A B C D E Will purchase based on price, quality, quantity etc.

3. When you borrow a book from the library, you borrow

Famous books or books famous authors A B C D E borrow after glancing through preface, epilogue
etc.

4. When you read poetry,

Surface meaning is understood A B C D E think about the deep level of meaning

5. When you read stories,

Read quickly to know the story in total A B C D E Each and every part will be read carefully

6. When you listen in the class,

Matters stressed and written by the teachers will A B C D E All the things with details and examples
be listened carefully are listened to

7. When you read text books,

Will read only the important parts carefully A B C D E All the parts are read with care

8. When you do experiments in the lab, you are interested in,

Easy experiments which demand less A B C D E Experiments that are to be carried out with
attention attention
6
Page

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
PART IV
Some possible situations in your daily life are given. Two extreme patterns of response that could be adopted are given
below. Based on the intensity of your behaviour mark ‘X’ on the answer sheet by selecting the options A, B, C, D, E
Example:
1. When you meet a person you will observe his dress, behaviour, movements etc.
Will care/observe generally A B C D E will care/observe specifically
A. If you care/observe a person generally
Mark A
B. If you care him generally occasionally
Mark B
C. If you care him sometimes generally and sometimes specifically.
Mark C
D. If you care them specifically most often
Mark D
E. If your care them specifically always
Mark E
1. When you have to take a decision, you will prefer to do it
after discussion with elders and friends A B C D E individually

2. You spend your free time,

Having entertainments along with friends and others A B C D E Having entertainments alone

3. When there are discussions in the class, usually

You express your opinion A B C D E Express the opinion only when compelled

4. The method of study in which you are more interested,

Group study with friends A B C D E Individual study

5. When three are celebrations and festivals in your school,

You are interested in viewing it A B C D E You are interested in viewing it without the
discussing with others interference from others

6. In solving the problems and answering questions during free time,

You will discuss it with others and find the answers A B C D E You will do it individually

7. When you are with your friends,

You usually speak A B C D E You attend others speak

You usually speak You attend others speak

8. When there are problem among students in the class,
You will interfere and solve A B C D E You will keep away from it

9. When doubts are to be clarified,

You will seek the help of A B C D E You will do it yourself with the help of books and study
others materials

10. When there are group activities in the class,

7
Page

You will be in the forefront of it A B C D E You will not be very active

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
PART V
Some possible situations in your daily life are given. Two extreme patterns of response that could be adopted are given
below. Based on the intensity of your behaviour mark ‘X’ on the answer sheet by selecting the options A, B, C, D, E
Example:
1. When you meet a person you will observe his dress, behaviour, movements etc.
Will care/observe generally A B C D E will care/observe specifically
A. If you care/observe a person generally
Mark A
B. If you care him generally occasionally
Mark B
C. If you care him sometimes generally and sometimes specifically.
Mark C
D. If you care them specifically most often
Mark D
E. If your care them specifically always
Mark E

1. If you are permitted to wear colour dresses apart from uniform in your school,
Will select a regular colour dress A B C D E Will wear a uniquely colourful one

2. When you are asked to do a project by your teacher on a subject that may or may not be related to your study area,
you will choose
Either from study area or its related A B C D E A different aspect even though it is not in the study
field area

3. If you are given reading time in your school, you will read books
Related to syllabus A B C D E From out of syllabus

4. When you are solving mathematical problems in the class room, you prefer to solve them,
As per direction of your teacher A B C D E Quickly by your own plan

5. If you score very low marks in class tests and term exams, you will.
Be anxious about the next exam A B C D E Try to console yourself to improve next time

6. When conspicuous changes come into your daily activities,

It will affect you study A B C D E You can go without much bother

7. If you prepare a time table to prepare for examination, you will

follow it albeit modifications A B C D E not follow the time table during study

8. Rules and regulations in the lab are followed by you,

Meticulously A B C D E Casually

9. Your role in your problems, you will be influenced by,

‘What other’s will think’ A B C D E Your own impressions

10. If others play a major role in your problems, you will consider that
8
Page

you should change according to others A B C D E Others are out of sync in the situation

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

Thinking Styles Inventory - 2007
THINKING STYLES INVENTORY
Model Response sheet

PART 1 PART III

A B C A B C D E
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9
10 PART IV
A B C D E
PART II 1
A B C D 2
1 3
2 4
3 5
4 6
5 7
6 8
7 9
8 10
9
10 PART V
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
Page

©Authors. Abdul Gafoor K. & Lavanya M.P.

View publication stats