Journal of Technology Education  JTE Editor: Mark Sanders
Volume 6, Number 2 Spring 1995    Student Cognitive Styles in
Postsecondary Technology Programs  John W. Hansen  Much of the
published research on cognitive styles focuses on the
differences in cognitive styles of students pursuing different
majors in either a four year institution or a two year
institution. For example, Witkin, et al. (1977) conducted a ten
year longitudinal study in four year institutions which sought
to determine if field dependence/independence was related to a
student's (1) initial major choice (science, education, and
other) and final degree major and (2) achievement in various
major courses. The study determined that the selection of a
major was influenced by cognitive styles and that students who
initially selected majors that required a particular cognitive
style which was different than their own were more likely to
change to a major which complemented their cognitive style. The
study also found a tendency for students to re