Cognitive style, or thinking style, is a concept in cognitive psychology used in education to describe the way individuals think, perceive and remember information, distinct from cognitive ability, which aptitude or intelligence tests measure instead. There is ongoing controversy over the exact meaning of the term and whether it names a single dimension of personality or several, though it remains a key concept in education and management. A pupil whose cognitive style resembles a teacher's own style has better odds of a more positive learning experience, and team members who share a cognitive style tend to feel more positive about working together, though matching styles alone cannot guarantee a good outcome.
Facts
Core ClaimCognitive style names an individual's consistent way of perceiving, thinking about and remembering information, distinct from cognitive ability, which aptitude and intelligence tests measure instead. 1 Origin YearThe Cognitive Style Wikipedia article itself names no founding date; this year is Allport's own formal introduction of the concept, per the cited Frontiers in Psychology source, which distinguishes it from the closely related but later work of other researchers who elaborated specific style models. Sources
1. Cognitive Style (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening paragraph, second sentenceQuote, Opening paragraph, second sentence
Cognitive style differs from cognitive ability (or level), the latter being measured by aptitude tests or so-called intelligence tests.
2. Cognitive Style: Time to Experiment (Frontiers in Psychology, PMC)
Frontiers in PsychologyIntroduction, first paragraphQuote, Introduction, first paragraph
cognitive style, a concept first formally introduced by Allport almost eight decades ago and defined as an individual's typical or habitual mode of problem solving, thinking, perceiving, and remembering (Allport, 1937)
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