Hemispheric Dominance, Thinking Style Preferences and Emotional Intelligence among College Students

By : F. Maria Margret, T. Lavanya

Page No: 21-31

Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between hemispheric dominance, thinking style preference and emotional intelligence among college student. Expost facto research design using correlational analysis was adopted. 450 graduate and post graduate students from professional and arts and science stream participated. Convenient sampling technique was used. The Alert Scale of Cognitive Style (Crane, 1989), Inquiry Mode Questionnaire (Harrison-Bramson, 1977), Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte, et al, 1998) were used for assessment. Pearson product moment correlation method and student t test were used for analysis. Results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between hemispheric dominance and emotional intelligence. There was significant relationship between emotional intelligence and thinking styles preferences, viz., syntheist, idealist and analyst. Further, professional stream students tend to be right hemispheric dominant than arts and science stream college students. The findings of the present study had implication for quality enhancement through pedagogy, methodology and curriculum. For students, understanding their thinking styles can facilitate to capitalize their strengths and adapt to learning environment. Educational psychologist have a define role in developing and training students to effectively adapt to challenges of academics and motivating them to progress towards actualizing their potentials for excellence.

Authors :
T. Lavanya : Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai 600005.
F. Maria Margret : M.Phil Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai 600005