Mind Organisation

Index
The Index includes ten statements
with four options for each statement.
Read each statement and decide how
it refers to you. Give four points to the
option most important to you, three

points to the one you prefer next, two to

the next one, and one point to the option
you prefer least. No two statements in a
set can have the same number of points.
There are no wrong answers.

1 My approach to learning

When beginning a task or assignment

A I make sure I have clear instructions I can follow.

B I prefer to have detailed and explicit information
about the task.

C I am usually eager to begin the task, sometimes
before reading or listening to all of the directions.

D I need to know that I will have support from
someone else if I dont understand.
2 My learning style

I learn best

A by using a step-by-step approach.

B when I have the time to think to myself about
details, facts and logical explanations.

C from real-life experiences and a hands-on
approach.

D when I can talk to others and relate the lesson to
my life.
3 My approach to problem solving

When I solve a problem

A I look for solutions that are logical, simple
and sensible.

B I take my time to think about it.

C I use my instincts to come up with my own
creative solution.

D I share and discuss solutions with friends,
family members and colleagues.

4 My schedule

A I prefer to have the same schedule or routine
each day.

B I try to have sufficient time to do a good job.

C I avoid routines as much as possible.

D I can adapt easily if my plan for the day is
interrupted.
5 My work space

A I like to keep my work space neat and organised.

B My work space is usually organised but
sometimes gets messy.

C I organise in piles rather than files.

D My work space often looks like a disaster area.

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4 = most like me
3 = often like me
2 = sometimes like me
1 = least like me

6 My team/groupwork description

In my various roles, I typically serve as the

A organiser; administrator.
B researcher; critic.
C change-agent; activist.
D morale-builder; mentor.

7 My communication style

When addressing an important issue

A I am direct, even if it means that I hurt someones
feelings.

B I prefer to have ample time to think about
(and perhaps explore) the matter.

C I usually convey my gut reactions.

D I try to be sensitive to other peoples feelings.
8 Working in groups

A When I work in groups, I like to stay on task until
we get the job done.

B I prefer not to work in groups and would rather
work by myself.

C When I work in groups, I am often the leader and
my group has an unusual and creative product.

D I enjoy working in a group where I am
comfortable.
9 A different point of view

My friends would describe me as

A loyal, dependable and hard-working.
B sensible and logical.
C adventurous.
D a good listener and an understanding person.

10 My point of view

I would describe myself as

A a perfectionist.
B inquisitive but sceptical.
C unique and strong-willed.
D imaginative, spontaneous and creative.
Copyright April Bowie 1997
The Learning Styles Institute. Used with permission.

Spotlight on Learning Styles, Marjorie Rosenberg, Delta Publishing 2013

Mind Organisation
Key
A = Power Planner

B = Expert Investigator

C = Radical Reformer

D = Flexible Friend

Your preference profile

Add up the points and find your style. Put the total number of points into the boxes.
A Power Planner

B Expert Investigator

C Radical Reformer

D Flexible Friend

Look at the radar chart below. Mark your points on the lines corresponding to your style. The lowest number you can get is
10, the highest 40. Now connect the four marks you made to get a visualisation of your style.
perceive
concretely
Power Planner

Radical Reformer

40

40

35

35

30

30

25

25

20

20

15

organise
systematically

15
20

15

organise
non-systematically

15
20

25

25

30

30

35

35

40

40

Expert Investigator

Flexible Friend
perceive
abstractly

Example:
This is a completed chart, visualising a personal profile.
perceive
concretely

Power Planner

Radical Reformer

40

40

35

35

30

30

25

25

20

20

15

organise
systematically

15
20

15

20

25

25

30

30

35

35

40

Expert Investigator

organise
non-systematically

15

40

perceive
abstractly

Flexible Friend

Discussion points:
c Do you have significantly more points in one style than
another, or are the points distributed very evenly?
c Do you think that the evaluation of your style is correct?
c How did you judge yourself before doing this survey?
Was it the same or different?
Points to remember:
Some people have a clear majority of points in one of the
four styles, while others may have a more even split. This
can depend on the situation that they are in at the time,
and they may use different strategies to work on different
problems or tasks. It is advisable to observe yourself for
a time after filling in the Index and notice when you tend
to use the characteristics of one of the styles more than
another. Sometimes it is necessary to practise stretching
to another style to be successful in a particular situation.

Spotlight on Learning Styles, Marjorie Rosenberg, Delta Publishing 2013

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