The Assimilator–Explorer Cognitive Styles: Factor Structure, Personality Correlates, and Relationship to Inventiveness

Abstract

This study investigated the Assimilator–Explorer (A–E) inventory's (Kaufmann & Martinsen, 1992) factor structure, its personality correlates, and its predictive validity on group differences. Based on a total sample of 887 participants, 3 factors labeled Rule orientation, Novelty seeking, and Planning were identified. Explorers were high novelty seekers and had low preferences for rules and for planning, while Assimilators were the opposite. Based on a subsample of 311 students, we found that the A–E's construct was strongly related to openness, but also related to the remaining constructs in the 5-factor model. Finally, inventors with registered patents were found to have significantly higher scores on the A–E inventory than a relevant comparison group.

Notes

Note. Rotation Method was Oblimin with Kaiser Normalization. Pattern Matrix is exhibited. Loadings below .20 are omitted. R = Rule orientation, N = Novelty seeking, P = Planning. Items were sorted according to the factor loadings and the item keys were reversed for the items on the R – factor. Please note that the items can be used for noncommercial research purposes but that commercial use is regulated by copyright legislations.

Note. **Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).