Stability of Cognitive Style in Adults and Some Implications, a Longitudinal Study of the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory

Abstract

This study ( N = 69) confirms the longer term stability (test-retest over 3.5 years) of Kirton's Adaption-Innovation Cognitive Style concept. Earlier test-retest studies were limited to periods of up to 1.5 years, although longer term stability (implied by, for example, consistent item-factor loadings across samples from different countries and organisations) was expected. The longer term stability was supported in this study by a test-retest coefficient of 0.82. This finding indicates clearly that studies and organisational interventions which have the objective of modifying this individual style preference will, by implication, fail. If any training intervention is to be regarded as successful, then overt behaviour rather than personal preference must be addressed. More attention must now be paid to Kirton's notion of “coping behaviour” and the ways available for reducing the psychological expense to the individual when overt behaviour needs to be different from personal preference.