Purpose of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The purpose of the Thinking Styles Inventory (TSI) is to help categorize the different thinking styles that appear in each individual, according to Robert Sternberg’s Theory of Mental Self-Government.
The tool is addressed to adolescents, students, adults, and professionals, and is used by researchers, educators, and career counselors.
It measures individuals’ preferences and cognitive tendencies in decision-making, problem-solving, and managing new situations. The information obtained can be used to personalize learning strategies, decision-making, and professional development.

Questionnaire (Scale) Analysis

The Thinking Styles Inventory (TSI) was developed by Robert J. Sternberg in 1997, based on the Theory of Mental Self-Government.
This theory suggests that the way people think can be compared to the functioning of a governmental system.
The questionnaire includes items that examine five basic categories of thinking styles:
Legislative Style, in which individuals prefer to lead and organize.
Executive Style, characterized by organization and a tendency to follow procedures and rules.
Judicial Style, where individuals take a critical and analytical approach.
Creative Style, dominated by innovation and the invention of new ideas.
Submissive Style, in which individuals follow instructions and avoid taking initiatives.
This tool has been used in various cultural and educational studies internationally.

Scoring of the Questions

The scoring of the TSI is based on Likert-type scales.
Participants are asked to evaluate how often they adopt specific thinking styles, using standard options such as:
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always.
Based on their responses, scores are calculated for each thinking style.
The final scores allow for the classification of the dominant thinking style of the individual, indicating the characteristic way they approach situations and problems.

Statistical Analysis

The scale produces continuous values for each thinking style, based on the total score from participants’ responses.
Values vary depending on the number of items and the maximum possible score per option.
High scores in a particular thinking style indicate a strong preference for that way of thinking.
For example, a high score in the Creative Style reflects a tendency toward innovation and the search for new ideas.
A low score in the Judicial Style may suggest limited use of critical thinking and evaluation.

Validity of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The validity of the TSI has been examined through numerous studies, primarily abroad.
The tool has been shown to be valid, as its results correlate strongly with other established psychometric scales and demonstrate adequate predictive ability regarding academic performance and career orientation.
Validity is supported by comparative studies and meta-analyses, while positive results have also been obtained in Greek samples concerning cultural adaptation and the tool’s usefulness.

Reliability of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The reliability of the TSI has been tested using statistical methods such as Cronbach’s alpha (internal consistency) and test-retest reliability.
Results indicate high reliability, with stable and reproducible scores across different time points and samples.
Reliability has been confirmed in both international and Greek population samples.

References

Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Thinking Styles. Cambridge University Press.
Sternberg, R. J. (2001). The Theory of Mental Self-Government and the Concept of Intelligence. In The International Handbook of Intelligence.
Sternberg, R. J., & Grigorenko, E. L. (2004). Culture and Intelligence: A Comparison of Three Traditions. Cambridge University Press.

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