Personal Thinking Style

The V-A-K system that I showed on previous post distinguishes how we perceive information. But in brain dominance, it show us how the brain process the information. The brain dominance that I wrote here was introduced by Anthony Gregorc (google if you want to know more).

In this brain dominance, the brain is divided into four quadrants:

1. Concrete Sequential
2. Abstract Sequential
3. Concrete Random
4. Abstract Random

People who fall into the two sequetial part tend to be left brain dominant while random thinkers are generally right brain dominant. Before I proceed, you can take the test to determine in which quadrant you are (you will need a piece of paper, a pencil and a calculator).

http://www.thelearningweb.net/personalthink.html

Have you determine in which quadrant you are? Look at the characteristics below. It is not entirely true but most part of it is.

Concrete Sequential Thinkers

Notice details easily

Recall details easily

Need to organize task using step-by-step process

Strive for perfection

Concrete Random Thinkers

Prefer trial and error approach

Like to use instinct more

Rarely accept anything outside the territory

Tend to be impulsive

Don't like to read direction and dislike structure

Abstract Random

Focus on relationship and emotions

Respond to visual method of instructions, group discussion and time for reflection

Enjoy evaluating personal experiences

Thrive in unstructured people oriented environment

Abstract Sequential

Highly verbal, logic and analytical

Love solitude

Prefer well organized material

Highly skeptical

Have problems in picking up subtle nonverbal cues

Dislike distraction

Below are some tips or advices for you to use in your work:

Tips for Concrete Sequential Thinkers

•Build on your organizational skills
•Provide yourself with details
•Break your projects down into specific steps
•Set up a quiet work environment

Tips for Concrete Random Thinkers

•Use your divergent ability
•Set yourself up to solve problems
•Check your time
•Accept your need to change
•Find personal support

Tips for Abstract Random Thinkers

•Use your natural ability to work with others.
•Recognize how strongly emotions influence your concentration.
•Build on your strength of learning by association.
•Look at the big picture.
•Be aware of time.
•Use visual cues.

Tips for Abstract Sequential

•Give yourself exercises in logic.
•Feed your intellect.
•Strive for structure and analyze the people you deal with

USEFULNESS: Different activities demand different types of thinking styles, so it is to your advantage to know your predominant style and second, what you can do to develop the other thinking styles in yourself. Hope you enjoy reading this post. Thanks for reading.

Useful References

http://www.usd.edu/~ssanto/gregorc.html

•Bobbi DePorter & Mike Hernacki, Quantum Learning:Unleashing The Genius In You,Dell Publishing,1992.

Imothy J. Sewall. "The measurement of learning style: a critique of four assessment tools". Technical report (ERIC ED267247), Wisconsin University, Green Bay, Assessment Center, 1986.