Thought style analysis: A method for analyzing patterns of thinking.

Increasing demands for improving thinking in all facets of society determined the need for this study. Thinkers must be able to improve the quality of their thinking to succeed in a rapidly changing, highly technological world. This study examined thought style as a way of patterning thought, resulting in different qualities. The purpose of this study was to develop a means for thinkers to recognize and select alternative thought styles, by examining steps in the stylization process. Most educational programs to improve thinking do not focus on thinkers' thought patterns. A model is necessary to structure components of thinking patterns, and to orchestrate the steps in the examination of the patterns. The Inquiry Cube model developed by Dr. T. Frank Saunders was used for this purpose in this study. The process of collecting and analyzing data about thought patterns described in this study could be implemented by thinkers. Future plans include adapting this design for an expert system to take advantage of computer aided diagnosis. The Cube model, and the process for analyzing thought patterns described in this study should facilitate collection of information about manifestations of thought style and the development of a computerized system to analyze thought style