1. Chapter VII: Individual Differences in Learning
Theories and Cognitive of Styles
Sherry Joyce Balinan
 Theories of styles are the learning styles that we have. A long tradition in educational
research has been attempted to pin down the learning styles or cognitive styles.
 Cognitive styles are the unique way of thinking and reasoning that characterizes an
individual learner. It is the preferred way of how an individual processes information.
 Styles are usually considered to be bipolar dimensions whereas abilities are unipolar.
Cognitive style is usually described as a personality dimension which influences
attitudes, values, and social interaction.
However, the most known styles are field dependence and field independence. It refers to a
tendency to approach the environment in an analytical as opposed to global fashion.
Field independence VS. Field dependence
Field independent individuals can easily
separate important details from a complex or
confusing background
Field dependent student find it more difficult to
see parts at complex whole
They tend to rely on themselves and their own
thought system when solving problems
They rely on other’s idea when solving
problems
Field independence VS. Field dependence
(Perceptual level)
They are able to distinguish figures as discrete
from their backgrounds compared to field
dependent
They are good in interpersonal relationship
Other cognitive styles:
Scanning- difference in the extent and intensify of attention resulting in variations in
vividness of experience and the span of awareness.
Levelling versus sharpening- individual variations in remembering that pertain to the
distinctiveness of memories and the tendency to merge similar events.

2. Reflection versus impulsivity- individual consistencies in the speed and adequacy
with which alternative hypotheses are formed and responses made.
Conceptual differentiation- differences in the tendency to categorize perceived
similarities among stimuli in terms of separate concepts or dimensions.