Cognitive Styles and the Adult Learner

Abstract

This research investigated relational and analytic cognitive styles among adult learners. It was hypothesized that in any selected population of adults, both polar analytic and polar rela tional, as well as mixed and conflicted, cognitive styles will be found; that relational cognitors will prefer a more informal learn ing environment and analytic cognitors will not; and that cogni tive style will be related to life style preference. The instrument used was found to be an effective gauge of cognitive style, and data on both styles were in fact collected. Predictions about learning environment preference were given reasonable support. Life style preference was not conclusively demonstrated, but enough evidence was collected to suggest the usefulness of further investigation.