The alignment of mind style with four categories of registration in South African psychology

Date
2001-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the possible alignment between mind style and four specialization categories within the profession of psychology. The Mind Style model of Anthony F. Gregorc, serving as a key to better understand an individuals' constitution, constitutes the theoretical underpinning of the investigation. The model divides specific perceptual and ordering qualities into four mediation channels or mind styles: Concrete Sequential (CS), Abstract Sequential (AS), Abstract Random (AR), and Concrete Random (CR). The Gregorc Style Delineator, an instrument measuring the perceptual qualities of concreteness and abstractness, and the ordering qualities of sequentialness and randomness, was administered to 68 students registered for the Clinical, Counselling, Educational, and Industrial Psychology masters study programmes at the University of Stellenbosch. The primary research objectives included determining the mind styles of the four specialization groups, and ascertaining whether the four groups displayed distinguishing dominant mind style preferences. Secondary research objectives explored the relationships between and interactions with the words of the Gregorc Style Delineator and the four specialization groups. The reasons of the four groups for studying their chosen specialization fields were also noted. The data was analysed using the SPSS. Findings revealed no significant differences between the mind styles of the four groups. The Abstract Random mind style was found to be the dominant mind style for all four of the specialization groups. The secondary research objectives similarly found no significant evidence in support of clear descriptive delineations between the four specialization groups. Regarding mind style, a perceptual-ordering aspect of personality, it would thus appear that psychologistsin- training, and therefore psychologists, are undifferentiated. On the whole the results of this study indicate that psychologists in various registration categories are more similar than different. Recommendations were made for further study and research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie stelondersoek in na die moontlike verwantskap tussen verstandstyl en vier spesialiseringskategorieë binne die sielkunde professie. Die 'Mind Style' model van Anthony F. Gregorc, wat dien as 'n sleutel na 'n betere insig betreffende 'n persoon se samestelling, vorm die teoretiese onderstutting van die ondersoek. Die model verdeel bepaalde perseptuele- en ordeningskwaliteite in vier bemiddelingskanale of verst and style: Konkreet-Opeenvolgend (CS), Abstrak-Opeenvolgend (AS), Abstrak-Lukraak (AR), en Konkreet-Lukraak (CR). Die Gregorc Style Delineator, 'n instrument wat konkrete en abstrakte perseptuele eienskappe, en opeenvolgende en lukrake ordeningseienskappe meet, is toegepas op 68 studente wat geregistreer was in die Kliniese, Voorligting, Opvoedkundige, en Industriële Sielkunde meesters studieprogramme aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Primêre navorsingsdoelstellings het die vasstelling van die verstandstyle vir die vier groepe ingesluit, asook die bepaling van moontlike onderskeidende dominante verstandstyl voorkeure vir elke groep. Sekondêre navorsingsdoelstellings het die verhoudings en interaksies van die woorde van die Gregorc Style Delineator met die vier spesialiseringsgroepe ondersoek. Die steekproef se redes vir die studie van hul gekose spesialiseringsvelde is ook genoteer. Dataanalise is gedoen met behulp van die SPPS. Bevindings het geen beduidende verskille tussen die verstandstyle van die vier groepe aangedui nie. Die Abstrak-Lukraak verstandstyl was geidentifiseer as die dominante verst andstyI vir al vier spesialiseringsgroepe. Die sekondêre navorsingsdoelstellings het eweneens geen beduidende bewys bevind ter ondersteuning van 'n duidelik omskrywende deliniasie tussen die vier spesialiseringsgroepe nie. Ten opsigte van verstandstyl, 'n perseptueel-ordenings aspek van persoonlikheid, wil dit dus voorkom of sielkundiges-in-opleiding, en dus sielkundiges, ongedifferensieerd is betreffende verstandstyl. In die geheel dui die resultate van die huidige studie aan dat sielkundiges van verskeie registrasiekategorieë meer eenders as verskillend is. Aanbevelings is gemaak ten opsigte van verdere studie en navorsing.
Description
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
Keywords
Personality assessment, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology
Citation