ERIC Number: EJ1029140
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 63
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0144-3410
The Role of Learning Environments in Thinking Styles
Fan, Jieqiong; Zhang, Li-fang
Educational Psychology, v34 n2 p252-268 2014
The present study examined the association between students' perceived general learning environment and their thinking styles (a specific term for "intellectual styles"). Seven hundred and fifty-two undergraduates in Shanghai responded to the Thinking Style Inventory-Revised II and the Inventory of Students' Perceived Learning Environment. Results indicated that students' perceived learning environment statistically predicted their thinking styles beyond gender, grade, major, and socio-economic status. Specifically, constructivist-oriented teaching, as well as peer morale and identities, were mainly associated with thinking styles that are characterised by cognitive complexity, nonconformity, autonomy and low degrees of structure (known as Type I styles), while clear goals and coherence of curricula mainly statistically predicted thinking styles that are characterised by cognitive simplicity, conformity, authority, and high degrees of structure (known as Type II styles). Student-student cooperation, the nature of assessment and assignments and learning facilities also statistically contributed to thinking styles to varying extents. The implications and limitations of the present findings are discussed.
Descriptors: Educational Environment, Cognitive Style, Role Perception, Socioeconomic Status, Gender Differences, Educational Attainment, Majors (Students), Undergraduate Students, Campuses, Interest Inventories, Predictor Variables, Cognitive Structures, Student Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Multivariate Analysis, Factor Analysis
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: China (Shanghai)

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