Examination of Thinking Styles of Trainers from Different Branches

Abstract

Thinking styles are a matter of choice in individuals’ use of their abilities. In other words, they are processes that determine individuals’ attitude towards the problems they encounter and their way of self-expression in the face of these problems. It is considered each athlete and trainer has unique ways in achieving their goals and succeeding. Starting from this, in our study we aim to examine “Thinking Styles of Trainers of Different Branches”. 50 trainers, 20 females and 30 males, who coach in different branches in Elazig city center, participated in our study. In the study, it was used a personal information form to gather participants’ demographical information “their gender, being trainer of individual or team sports, year of coaching and educational level” and the REI (Rational Experiential Inventory) developed by Epstein et al. to determine their thinking styles. Consequently, it has been observed the rational and intuitive thinking styles of the trainers from different branches are sufficient in our study. In the light of the findings, it has been concluded that trainers of team sports have high levels of analytical-rational thinking, “participating-not participating in cognitive activities and enjoying-not enjoying cognitive activities”, while trainers of individual sports have high levels of intuitive thinking “data processing and trusting-not trusting their feelings and first impressions in their daily life”. Our study has importance since it is believed it provides enlightening information for trainers and athletes in their choice of appropriate methods and techniques while performing and coaching and also it forms literature for future studies.