Measure Of Cognitive Complexity Research Articles

The Splitting Index: construction of a scale measuring the defense mechanism of splitting.

The Splitting Index (SI), a self-report scale based on the writings of Kernberg (e.g., 1976) on self and object representations and the defense mechanism of splitting, was constructed. After development over the course of 6 pilot studies, the SI was validated through 2 further studies. Factor analyses revealed a 24-item scale with three 8-item subscales, measuring the splitting of self, family, and others' images. The SI and its subscales were demonstrated to be internally consistent and stable over a 4-week period. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with measures of borderline and narcissistic personality disorders, self-image stability, self-esteem, depression, and negative affectivity. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by near-zero correlations with two measures of cognitive complexity. Contrary to predictions, the SI was significantly correlated with the Dogmatism Scale (Rokeach, 1960), a third measure of cognitive complexity. Research and clinical applications of the SI are discussed.

Cognitive complexity and the perceived dimensionality of pay satisfaction.

This study explored the possibility that cognitive complexity can account for differences in the number of perceived dimensions with which individuals conceptualize pay satisfaction, as measured by the Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire. Using 2 independent samples of 1,969 certified teachers, it was found that mean group differences in cognitive complexity may account for the differences previously found in the literature. It was suggested that additional basic research be performed on how individuals conceptualize pay satisfaction and that more useful measures of cognitive complexity be developed.

Associations of nonverbal decoding ability with indices of person‐centered communicative ability

This study (n=75) examined the relations of a measure of nonverbal decoding ability (Archer & Costanzo, 1988) with measures of interpersonal cognitive complexity (Role Category Questionnaire) and person‐centered persuasive verbal adaptiveness. Results showed a significant, positive relationship between the measures of nonverbal decoding ability (Interpersonal Perception Task) and the Role Category Questionnaire. Scores on the Interpersonal Perception Task also were significantly associated with respondents' person‐centered verbal adaptiveness. However, regression analysis with persuasive verbal adaptiveness as the criterion revealed that when controlling for the influence of sex, interpersonal cognitive complexity and nonverbal decoding ability entered together as predictors dropped from significance in their association with persuasive verbal adaptiveness.

A preliminary investigation of the role of differential complexity and response style in measuring attitudes toward people with disabilities.

This report investigated a potentially complex relationship between cognitive complexity and attitudes towards people with disabilities in a 3-part study using two undergraduate student samples. In Study 1 (n = 126), subjects' responses to the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDP-O) were not significantly correlated with the Repertory Grid Test (RGT). This finding suggests no relationship between attitudes and a generic measure of cognitive complexity. In Study 2 (n = 57), subjects' responses to the ATDP-O were positively correlated with a disability- specific repertory grid technique. This finding suggests an inverse relationship between domain-specific cognitive complexity and positive attitudes. In Study 3, findings from Study 1 were reanalyzed. Subjects' responses to the ATDP-O were transformed using a repertory grid scoring technique; significant correlations were found between the tendency of subjects to respond redundantly and positive attitudes as measured by the ATDP-O, and the tendency to respond redundantly and lower cognitive complexity as measured by the RGT. These findings suggest that a large group of individuals who process information by focusing on differences, rather than similarities, may be inappropriately assessed by the ATDP, or other instruments that use a similar format in assessing attitudes.

Correlations of Selected Cognitive Styles with Cooperation in a Prisoner's Dilemma Game

Measures of internality-externality, reflection-impulsivity, field dependence-independence, and cognitive complexity were administered to 96 subjects. Each subject also played an 84-trial prisoner's dilemma game. Against 3 different counterbalanced strategies, a correlation of .19 was obtained for field dependence and cooperation under the 25% cooperative treatment condition and .21 for times to match familiar figures and cooperation under the 75% cooperative treatment condition.

Stability of a 4 × 6 repertory grid for measuring cognitive complexity

Abstract Stability indices were determined for a 4 × 6 version of the 10 × 10 repertory grid of Bieri et al. (1966). Adequate correlation with complexity scores derived from the 10 × 10 grid, cross-validation between the two grids, and test-retest reliability were demonstrated. The 4 × 6 repertory grid provides a useful version of this measure of cognitive complexity for researchers who desire a valid, but smaller and less time-consuming, measure with provided constructs and role types.

The Cognitive Structure of Peacemaking: Egypt and Israel, 1970-1978

This study examines the hypothesis that the structure of beliefs of political leaders is related to the degree of cooperation exhibited by their nation toward a traditional enemy. We examine this relationship by focusing on the association between cognitive complexity-measured by structural as opposed to contentbased indices-and the proportion of cooperative behavior exchanged between Israel and Egypt over the period of 1970-1978. The findings indicate that measures of Sadat's cognitive complexity consistently and significantly affected the proportion of Egyptian cooperative behavior vis-a-vis Israel in subsequent periods. Specifically, the higher the level of cognitive complexity in Sadat's verbal expression, the higher the subsequent proportion of cooperative behavior exhibited by Egypt toward Israel. This relationship was not replicated in the Israeli case. We speculate that the cross-national differences are due to the different structures of the political systems of the two states. The implications of these findings are explored.

Cognitive and Arousal Effects of Masking Office Noise

To test the effects of masked and unmasked office noise on arousal, stress and cognitive performance, each of three groups of 15 student volunteers was exposed to one of the following conditions: taped office noise (54 dbA with bursts to 60-66 dbA), the same noise masked by white noise at 59 dbA, and no extraneous noise. Findings confirmed predictions based on theories of arousal and disruptive stress. The no noise group performed best on a measure of cognitive complexity and felt the least disturbed and stressed by the environment. Masked noise subjects performed better than those in the unmasked condition on both complexity and a simple attention task; they felt more aroused but less disturbed or stressed by the environment. The findings are relevant to both theoretical and applied aspects of ambient noise.

Identification, Reflection, And Correlation: Problems In The Bases Of Repertory Grid Measures

Abstract Repertory grids, deriving from George Kelly's personal construct theory, have been used to provide measures of a number of personality and cognitive variables. Several of these grid measures, such as the identification index, some measures of cognitive complexity, and other indices extracted from factor analyses of grids, are based on correlations between the columns (elements) of the grid data matrix. These measures are problematic and unstable because the intercolumn correlations depend on the direction of scoring across each of the matrix rows (constructs). This direction is not guided by explicit or theoretically justified rules and appears to be arbitrary and inconsistent between researchers. Also, correlation is a poor measure of element similarity, the basis of the identification measure. The importance of the valuating aspect of construing may provide a basis for the standardization of scoring. And scoring from the valued pole of a construct may help bring stability and meaning to the correlation-based measures.

Type A behavior and processing of social conflict information

Research suggests that the Type A pattern as assessed by the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) involves a number of stress-engendering cognitive/social responses. To identify potential responses responsible for social stress, the study tested the relationship between JAS Type A behavior and several cognitive/social variables relevant to assertiveness situations. Male undergraduates completed two measures of cognitive complexity and rated the reasonableness of another's request. Also, subjects were evaluated for positive content (i.e., consideration of the other) in role-played assertion responses. Type A behavior correlated with lower differentiation when sorting aspects of an assertion situation, lower integrative complexity when thinking about conflict topics, and less inclusion of consideration content.

The predictive validity of cognitive complexity measures on social perspective-taking and counseling communication

Abstract We compared the predictive validity of two cognitive complexity measures on two communication-relevant abilities: social perspective-taking and person-centered counseling. Forty-six undergraduates completed versions of Crockett's Role Category Questionnaire and Bieri et al.'s repertory grid task to measure cognitive complexity. Measures of social perspective-taking ability and person-centered counseling messages were also obtained from the subjects. Whereas Crockett's complexity measure was significantly and consistently related to the communication-related measures, Bieri's complexity measure was only marginally related to these same measures.

Valid and constructive thoughts: Continuing the dialog about the RCQ

This brief essay continues the ongoing controversy over the status of the Role Category Questionnaire as a measure of cognitive complexity. The central thesis advanced is that several theoretical and methodological issues regarding the RCQ are still unanswered and await empirical investigation. The dozens of studies typically cited bv proponents of the RCQ demonstrate predictive validity. However, substantial unresolved questions about the measure's construct, concurrent, and face validity leave open the possibility that the RCQ score is an artifact.

On validly assessing the validity of the role category questionnaire: A reply to Allen et al.

The current paper responds critically to Allen et al.'s recent investigation of the validity of the Role Category Questionnaire measure of interpersonal cognitive complexity. Factual inaccuracies in Allen et al.'s critique are noted, as are deficiencies in conceptualization and design of the two studies reported by these authors. Several advantages in the standard form of the RCQ are described. The paper concludes by suggesting issues future critiques of the RCQ will need to consider.

Alternative measures of cognitive complexity as predictors of communication performance

Abstract Two studies were conducted to compare the predictive validity of the two of the most popular measures of cognitive complexity: Bieri et al.'s (1966) grid-based measure (elicited and provided versions) and Crockett's (1965) Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ). Two other grid-based measures of construct system quality also were included. Criterion measures included indices of the accommodative, person-centered quality of communication behavior and social reasoning in a variety of contexts. Results of both studies consistently show Crockett's measure to be a significant predictor of all criterion measures. Bieri et al.'s measures were generally unrelated, although the elicited construct version performed best as a predictor. The two measures of complexity were essentially unrelated in both studies. Implications of the findings for future use of the RCQ and grid-based measures of complexity are discussed. For those interested in the relation of constructs and communication behavior, the RCQ is recommended.

A thoughtful appraisal of measuring cognition using the role category questionnaire

One assumption of the Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ) as a measure of cognitive complexity is that the sample of constructs it elicits represents a stable feature of individual difference. Two experiments investigating the RCQ's stability were conducted. Results for Study 1 demonstrated that changing RCQ instructions elicits a significantly greater amount of constructs compared to previous studies. Study 2 also showed varying instructions for construct, production increased mean number of constructs generated and changed the rank‐ordered relationships of complexity scores. Results suggest the RCQ's method of sampling the cognitive system yields unstable and sample‐bound scores. Possible refinements in assessing cognitive complexity are discussed.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a Measure of Aspects of Cognitive Style

Subscales of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator correlated significantly with the measure of field dependence-independence but not with the measure of cognitive complexity. The MBTI measures some but ...

Cognitive Complexity and Creativity

A number of similar characteristics between creative and cognitively complex people suggests a positive relationship between these variables. However, past empirical research, using purported measures of creativity and cognitive complexity, has reported equivocal findings. The present study hypothesized a positive relationship between high creativity (How Do You Think Test) and cognitive complexity. The subjects were fifty-six female and fifty-six male university students. As predicted, cognitive complexity was significantly related to creativity. In addition, females were significantly more cognitively complex.

Modeling the cognitive content of displays.

An approach for measuring the cognitive complexity of visual displays is discussed and applied to a dynamic display of avionic information. A semantic network formalism is used to model two interrelated knowledge systems, world knowledge and display knowledge. The information the operator receives during training about the general display format characteristics and the task requirements, along with other previously stored information, constitutes world knowledge. The semantic content of a particular configuration of information encountered during task performance constitutes display knowledge. Four orthogonal predictor measures of cognitive complexity were derived from the networks. In an experiment three of the orthogonal predictors were significantly correlated with task performance. After averaging across operators, the three significant predictors accounted for 99% of the variation of display effectiveness. Results indicate that a model of cognitive complexity based on a semantic network formalism may provide a useful technique for quantitatively evaluating the quality of competing display format concepts.

Effects of Modes of Computer-Based Training on Learning and Retention

The paper describes an investigation of the effects of computer-based training (CBT) delivery methods on learning and retention in target recognition and identification tasks. Two training methods (drill and practice, and branching computer aided instruction) were administered to subjects at two locations. Measures of cognitive complexity also were obtained on each subject and compared against test scores. Results confirmed that learning did occur with both CBT methods. Results also suggest that training design is not straightforward, and must consider a number of student and training site factors as well as the topic to be trained. Trends, while not highly significant, do suggest directions for further research.

Pubertal maturation and cognitive maturity in adolescents

To determination the relationship between puberty and cognitive development, 135 students, ages 11 through 19 years, were studied. The participants were 73% white, 55% female, and of predominantly middle-class backgrounds with a mean Hollingshead score of 37.1 ± 16.3. Measures of general intelligence (IQ), cognitive complexity (conceptual level), and cognitive style (perceptual field dependence-independence) were administered. Students rated their own level of sexual maturity (Tanner stage). Mean Tanner stage of 4.0 ± 0.9 was consistent with the mean age of 14.2 ± 2.2 years. General intelligence was average (105 ± 18.2). Most did not demonstrate the use of mature cognitive processes, as reflected in low conceptual level scores (1.19 ± 0.5) and a more field-dependent cognitive style (7.9 ± 4.9). Older adolescents ( r = 0.377; p < 0.001), females ( r = 0.217; p < 0.005), and those with a higher IQ ( r = 0.329; p < 0.001) were cognitively more complex. Using an analysis of covariance to control for colinearity of variables, difftrences in conceptual level and cognitive style as functions of levels of sexual maturity were compared. Once the statistically significant colinear effects of age, gender, and IQ ( p < 0.0001) were removed, no statistical contribution was left attributable to the level of sexual maturity. In other words, when the effects of age were controlled, more advanced Tanner stage was not a predictor of more mature cognitive processes. Physical growth and development during puberty do not appear to affect cognitive development.