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Learning Style And Brain Hemisphere Dominance : Interrelationships And Influences On Organizational Role Selection, Helen Leitch Diehl

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated relationships between learning style, as measured by the Kolb Learning-Style Inventory, and brain hemisphere dominance, as measured by the Herrmann Participant Survey. The possible influence of either or both of these factors on organizational role selection as a supervisor, subordinate or work project group member was also studied. Subjects were 134 graduate management students.

Pearson product moment correlations at p <.01 (n = 125) were found between the following dimensions: Concrete Experience and right brain hemisphere dominance, r = .41; Concrete Experience and the Right Limbic, r = .42; Abstract Conceptualization and left brain hemisphere dominance, r = .23; Abstract Conceptualization and the Overall Cerebral, r = .49; Abstract Conceptualization and the Left Cerebral, r = .42. Although some results regarding organizational role selection based on learning style or brain hemisphere dominance were significant at p <.05 using chi square analysis, strong evidence was not found to support the concept that individuals would prefer working with others like themselves. There was some evidence, however, that the longevity of the acquaintance may influence students to select right brain hemisphere dominant students in some situations.

The bipolarity of the factors measured by both instruments was assessed. Using a level of p <.01, Concrete Experience and Abstract Conceptualization were correlated at -.46 (n = 133), whereas Reflective Observation and Active Experiementation were correlated at -.52 (n = 133) on the Kolb instrument. On the Herrmann instrument, Overall Left and Overall Right measures were correlated at -.84 (n = 126), whereas Overall Cerebral and Overall Limbic measures correlated at -.73 (n = 126). Split-half correlations on the Kofb factors yielded reliabilities of .85 to .90 (n = 133) for the four factors measured. Test-retest correlations for the Herrmann ranged from .67 to .81 (n=30) for the subscales. Suggestions for future research using these instruments were made.