Cognitive styles
BALANCED
The tendency to be flexible, use
a variety of analytical and
holistic approaches combined
with a strong learning
orientation.
HOLISTIC
LEARNING
The tendency to seek stimulation and
acquire skill and understanding for the
purpose of adaptation, growth, mastery.
ANALYTICAL
The tendency to see the big
picture whilst being aware of the
relevant subcomponents and
their interconnections.
QUICK
INSIGHT
The tendency to apply rules, work
systematically, break the whole into
subcomponents and identify
interrelationships between components.
STRUCTURED
The tendency for subconscious
processing followed by quick
grasp.
The tendency to impose order on /
contain an unstructured situation.
METAPHORIC
INTUITIVE
The tendency to tune into an
insight and sense possibilities in
vague situations.
LOGICAL
INTEGRATIVE
The tendency to apply rulebased arguments in a rigorous
and intentional manner to
generate convergent and/or
divergent solutions.
The tendency to synthesise and
blend discrepant aspects to
understand and formulate
coherent and meaningful
structures.
MEMORY
The tendency to rely on already
acquired knowledge and skill /
past information to guide own
approach and conclusions.
The tendency to represent the situation
through symbols, metaphors and
abstractions.
EXPLORATIVE
The tendency to investigate situations
in-depth and gather information.
REFLECTIVE
The tendency to carefully consider
situations and check facts and
conclusions.
TRIAL-ANDERROR
The tendency for an unplanned and
random approach to unfamiliar
environments.
REACTIVE
The tendency to act impulsively or
emotionally without applying a rigorous
approach.
CPP Accreditation Training – Handout 3
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Cognitive styles – feedback and
interpretation
Cognitive Styles are an indication of a person’s integrated information processing and their
degree of meta-awareness (self-awareness of thinking processes and the ability to adjust
thinking). The CPP report identifies and ranks 15 styles. Some styles are used more significantly
than others and these most frequently used styles are indicated in the report.
BALANCED
Enables capability.
A balanced profiles suggests adaptability.
HOLISTIC
Enables capability.
Individuals who prefer the holistic style tend to take a big-picture, conceptual
approach to viewing a situation. They tend to take a bird’s-eye view and see
connections between a range of elements within the whole.
QUICK
INSIGHT
Enables capability.
The use of this style suggests the person will understand ideas and reach
conclusions quickly. They tend to be task-focused and work effectively and efficiently
towards a goal. They frequently experience “Aha!” moments.
INTUITIVE
Enables capability.
The intuitive style involves an awareness of and tuning into insights. Conscious or
subconscious processing (analysis, memory, integration, etc.) rigorously works to
make sense of the insight and come to a conclusion.
LOGICAL
Enables capability.
The tendency to move from concrete detail / parts / components to an abstract idea /
hypothesis / map systematically and intentionally.
INTEGRATIVE
Enables capability.
The integrative style is concerned with combining, synthesising and connecting
various sources of information in order to create a complete and overall view of a
situation.
Constrains capability.
MEMORY
Memory style, when indicated as used significantly, has a special insight:
 Possible fear of failure
 Possible high performance standards
 Possible punitive background / training / environment
This style may constrain capability as the person tries to fit new information into
existing information structures. This can sometimes be done effectively to increase
capability, but may indicate rigidity and resistance to change. It may help to look at
the other styles and profile in general.
CPP Accreditation Training – Handout 3
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+27 (0) 884 0878
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LEARNING
Neutral or enabling effect on capability as it is emotionally driven.
Look at the combination with other styles.
This style involves learning from previous experience, integrating learning into new
situations, taking note of feedback, but also being open to new information.
ANALYTICAL
Constrains capability.
Analytical style involves breaking down information and subdividing elements.
Overuse of this style leads to an excessive focus on detail, which can slow down the
judgement process.
STRUCTURED
Constrains capability.
Individuals who apply the structured style tend to categorise, collate, file and order
information. Overuse of this style can slow down the decision-making process or lead
to ineffective activity when there is inadequate structure in the environment.
METAPHORIC
Enables capability.
Individuals using the metaphoric style may use abstractions, metaphors, analogies or
stories to understand and communicate ideas.
EXPLORATIVE
Constrains capability.
The explorative style involves gathering, investigating and researching information.
Overuse of this style leads to the person having a wealth of information that can
overwhelm the decision-making process and lead to confusion.
REFLECTIVE
Constrains capability.
Individuals who apply the reflective style tend to check and recheck information or
their understanding despite having grasped it adequately. Although this can be useful
in environments where accuracy is essential, it tends to slow down judgement in
unfamiliar environments.
Constrains capability.
TRIAL-ANDERROR
Trial-and-error style suggests a lack of faith in unstructured environments and less
effective processing. It also suggests an emotional rather than rational response to
unfamiliarity.
Individuals who apply this style may stay focused on the task and may not keep the
goal or objective in mind, resulting in unnecessary activity and time-wasting. They
may not operate in this manner in familiar environments.
Constrains capability.
REACTIVE
Reactive style suggests an emotional or fight response rather than rational response
to unfamiliarity. It may also represent that the person tried to compensate with speed
rather than understanding (power).
Individuals who apply this style may work quickly and take action, but it may not
always be accurate, appropriate or useful.
CPP Accreditation Training – Handout 3
www.cognadev.com
+27 (0) 884 0878
[email protected]