THE INFLUENCE OF COGNITIVE-STYLE UPON WORK-ENVIRONMENT PREFERENCES

Previous research has shown that those who differ in cognitive style d iffer in job satisfaction, leadership, and perceptions of task charact eristics. The present study investigated how those who differ in cogni tive style differ in their preferences for various work environments. The Group Embedded Figures Test and the Work Environment Scale-Form I were administered to 376 undergraduates. Analyses indicated that cogni tive style was significantly associated with over-all climate percepti ons as well as perceptions of autonomy, involvement, and innovation. T he results suggest that those who are field-independent prefer autonom ous, involving, and innovative work settings.