Cognitive style and learning: Performance of adaptors and innovators in a novel dynamic task

The influence of cognitive style on performance in a novel dynamic task mod elled on the task of controlling air traffic was investigated. It was hypot hesized that participants who preferred a more adaptive cognitive style wou ld maintain better rule adherence and safe distances between aircraft in a low-fidelity air traffic control task than those who preferred a more innov ative style. Problems were presented to participants using computer-based s cenarios in screening, practice. and experimental trials. Performance was m easured by the number of times the participant violated two types of scenar io rules. Screening, practice. and experimental performance were analysed s eparately. Cognitive style had a significant effect on performance only dur ing experimental trials. Performance of individuals who preferred a more ad aptive style improved across experimental trials while those preferring a m ore innovative style did not. Results suggest that the more innovative part icipants, al:hough perhaps having some initial advantage, may not be able t o sustain performance in this type of task. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.