Brief Description

The Thinking Styles Inventory is a 104-item questionnaire that assesses individuals’ preferences regarding how they think and organize their thoughts, based on Sternberg’s theory of mental self-government. Responses are given on a seven-point Likert scale, allowing classification into distinct thinking style categories.

Purpose

The tool aims to capture and understand an individual’s preferred thinking styles. It is grounded in Sternberg’s theory of mental self-government, which posits that thinking styles influence how people process information, solve problems, and collaborate. These styles are not abilities but rather habitual patterns related to learning behavior and professional or social functioning. Evaluating thinking styles helps enhance self-awareness and optimize learning and communication.

Scoring Method

Each statement is rated on a scale from 1 to 7, reflecting the participant’s level of agreement or disagreement. Responses are aggregated into five major groups: functions (legislative, executive, judicial), forms (monarchic, hierarchic, oligarchic, anarchic), levels (global, local), scopes (internal, external), and leanings (liberal, conservative). The average score for each style determines the individual’s dominant thinking style(s).

Validity

While validation studies specific to Greek samples are still ongoing, the inventory’s external validity has been established in international research. It shows positive correlations with academic performance, personality traits, and well-being. Factor analysis supports the inventory’s ability to represent the dimensions proposed by Sternberg’s theory of thinking styles.

Reliability

The tool’s reliability has been confirmed internationally. The internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) for the subscales range from 0.64 to 0.89, with an average of approximately 0.75, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. In Greece, a full reliability assessment has yet to be completed, but preliminary data are promising.

Data Analysis and Usage

Analysis involves calculating the average score for each thinking style. Results are used to categorize individuals according to their preferred thinking modes and are suitable for research, educational, and professional applications. The tool is valuable in differentiated instruction, career guidance, and psychoeducational interventions.

Key References

Dai, D. Y., & Feldhusen, J. F. (1999). A validation study of the thinking styles inventory: Implications for gifted education.
Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Thinking styles. Cambridge University Press.
Sternberg, R. J., & Grigorenko, E. (1995). Styles of thinking in the school. European Journal for High Ability, 6, 201–219.
Sternberg, R. J., & Wagner, R. K. (1997). Sternberg-Wagner Self-Assessment Inventory on Thinking Styles. Cambridge University Press.
Zhang, L. F. (2006). Thinking styles and the big five personality traits revisited. Personality and Individual Differences, 40, 1177–1187.