Development of a Scale to Evaluate Cognitive Styles and Abilities. Final Report

A study was conducted to: (1) provide normative data for the Brozovich-Hall Watson (BHW) scale, a non-verbal method of assessing cognitive style; (2) provide data for itwm revision and further refinement of the BHW; and (3) assess the effects of grade level (age), sex and socioeconomic status on cognitive style. The BHW was administered to 621 children ranging in grade level from preschoolers less than 4 1/2 years old to third graders. Socioeconomic level and sex were balanced at each grade level. Grade level proved the most consistent and powerful factor related to cognitive style. Results were generally consistent with previous research, indicating, for example, a decrease in use of color as a grouping category with increased grade level. Sex and socioeconomic level interacted significantly with grade level in their effects related to cognitive style, but neither produced consistent effects on cognitive style independent of grade level. Item analysis indicated a need to revise approximately 25% of the items. The BHW appears capable of assessing aspects of cognitive style among non-verbal populations. Plans and recommendations include: (1) revision of the BHW; (2) assessment of verbally impaired populations; (3) direct comparison of BHW scores to other cognitive style assessment procedures; (4) studying the relationship of BHW scores to intelligence, achievement and personality variables; and (5) evaluating the relationships between individual cognitive style and teaching-learning environments. (Author/KM)