Alert Scale of Cognitive Style

by
Force yourself to choose the one sentence which is most accurate. These questions will help you discover your personal thinking style in the way you do your work.
1.
I have to have neat‚ orderly surrounding to work in. (A)
I have to have comfortable surroundings to work in. (B)
2.
Deadlines and schedules make my work easier to do. (A)
Deadlines and schedules interfere with the way I work. (B)
3.
I’m good at analyzing all the different parts of a problem. (A)
I’m good at thinking of many different solutions to a problem. (B)
4.
I’m proud of the creativity of my work. (A)
I’m proud of the thoroughness of my work. (B)
5.
When I take a “break” I relax and do nothing. (A)
When I take a “break” I find something different to do. (B)
6.
I don’t think about the time when I work. (A)
I plan out my time when doing work. (B)

7.
I will follow proven ways of doing my jobs. (A)
I will find my own way of doing new jobs. (B)
8.
I prefer to finish one job before starting a new one. (A)
I prefer to be working on many jobs at the same time. (B)
9.
I can usually analyze what should happen next. (A)
I can usually sense what should happen next. (B)
10.
I do easy things first and save important things for later. (A)
I do important things first and other things later. (B)
11.
Other people think I’m unorganized. (A)
Other people think I organize things well. (B)
12.
I arrange objects so they are off-center and angled. (A)
I arrange objects so they are centered and in line. (B)

13.
I follow an outline when I write a paper. (A)
I don’t use an outline or change it when I write. (B)
14.
With a difficult decision I follow what I know. (A)
With a difficult decision I follow my feelings. (B)
15.
I question new ideas more than other people do. (A)
I agree with new ideas before other people do. (B)
16.
I change the way I do a job‚ for variety. (A)
When one way works well‚ I don’t change it. (B)
17.
I’m usually late. (A)
I’m usually early. (B)
18.
Where I put things depends on what I’m doing. (A)
I put each thing in a particular place. (B)

19.
I’m very consistent. (A)
I’m very spontaneous. (B)
20.
I arrange clothes in my closet by type‚ length‚ season‚ etc. (A)
I don’t put clothes in my closet in any particular order. (B)
Cognitive-Style Quiz
1.
A) It’s fun to take risks.
B) I have fun without taking risks.
2.
A) I look for new ways to do old jobs.
B) When one way works well‚ I don’t change it.
3.
A) I begin many jobs that I never finish.
B) I finish a job before starting a new one.
4.
A) I’m not very imaginative in my work.
B) I use my imagination in everything I do.
5.
A) I can analyze what is going to happen next.
B) I can sense what is going to happen next.
6.
A) I try to find the one best way to solve a problem.
B) I try to find different answers to problems.
7.
A) My thinking is like pictures going through my head.
B) My thinking is like words going through my head.
8.
A) I agree with new ideas before other people do.
B) I question new ideas more than other people do.
9.
A) Other people don’t understand how I organize things.
B) Other people think I organize well.
10.
A) I have good self-discipline.
B) I usually act on my feelings.
11.
A) I plan time for doing my work.
B) I don’t think about the time when I work.
12.
A) With a hard decision‚ I choose what I know is right.
B) With a hard decision‚ I choose what I feel is right.
13.
A) I do easy things first and important things later.
B) I do the important things first and the easy things later.
14.
A) Sometimes in a new situation‚ I have too many ideas.
B) Sometimes in a new situation‚ I don’t have any ideas.
15.
A) I have to have a lot of change and variety in my life.
B) I have to have an orderly and well-planned life.
16.
A) I know I’m right‚ because I have good reasons.
B) I know I’m right‚ even without good reasons.
17.
A) I spread my work evenly over the time I have.
B) I prefer to do my work at the last minute.
18.
A) I keep everything in a particular place.
B) Where I keep things depends on what I’m doing.
19.
A) I have to make my own plans.
B) I can follow anyone’s plans.
20.
A) I am a very flexible and unpredictable person.
B) I am a consistent and stable person.
21.
A) With a new task‚ I want to find my own way of doing it.
B) With a new task‚ I want to be told the best way to it.
Alert Scale of Cognitive Style
Scoring:
1. Underline questions number 4‚ 5‚ 6‚ 10‚ 11‚ 12‚ 16‚ 17‚ and 18.
2. Count the number of “A” responses for the underlined questions. A
3. Count the number of “B” responses for the questions not underlined. B
4. Total the “A” and “B” responses you counted. Total
0 – 4 Strong left hemisphere orientation.
5 – 8 Moderate left hemisphere orientation.
9 – 11 Bilateral hemisphere balance.
12-15 Moderate right hemisphere orientation.
16-20 Strong right hemisphere orientation.
Cognitive-Style Quiz
To Score
1. Give yourself one point for each time you answered “A” for questions: 1‚ 2‚ 3‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 13‚ 14‚ 15‚ 19‚ 20‚ 21.
2. Give yourself one point for each time you answered “B” for questions: 4 ‚5‚ 6‚ 10‚ 11‚ 12‚ 16‚ 17‚ 18.
3. Add all points. Totals imply:
0-4: strong left brain
5-8: moderate left brain
9-13: middle brain
14-16: moderate right brain
17-21: strong right brain

The Alert Scale of Cognitive Style by Dr. Loren D. Crane‚ Western Michigan University‚ 1989.

Wang L‚ van Belle G‚ Crane P‚ Kukull WA‚ Bowen JD‚ McCormick WC‚ et al. (2004). Subjective memory deterioration and future dementia in people aged 65 and older. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.;52:2045–2051