ScholarWorks at UMass Boston

Title

Some Implications of Educational Cognitive Style as it Relates to Critical Thinking Skills

Author

Maureen Roach, University of Massachusetts Boston

Date of Completion

5-31-1980

Document Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Steven Schwartz

Abstract

The literature relevant to cognitive styles contains many psychological theories specifically dealing with how humans encode knowledge. Because this study was designed to relate cognition to critical thinking skills in young children, only a few psychological theories will be discussed at length. The work of Witkin in “Field Dependence” (1949) and Harvey in “Cognitive Complexity” (1961) are most closely associated with and contained information on critical thinking skills in young children. Interest in cognitive psychology and cognitive style, and its possible application to education has recently intensified. Many studies emphasize the structure rather than the content of thought and refer to the way in which individuals conceptually organize their environments.

Comments

Contact cct@umb.edu for access to full text

Recommended Citation

Roach, Maureen, "Some Implications of Educational Cognitive Style as it Relates to Critical Thinking Skills" (1980). Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection. 255.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/cct_capstone/255