Cognitive styles of Forest Service scientists and managers in the Pacific Northwest.

Abstract

Preferences of executives, foresters, and biologists of the Pacific Northwest Research Station and executives, District Rangers, foresters, engineers, and biologists of the Pacific Northwest Region, National Forest System (USDA Forest Service), were compared for various thinking styles. Herrmann brain dominance profiles from 230 scientists and managers were drawn from Forest Service archives. Results showed that employees used diverse thinking styles; 24 different profiles were found and employees used 21 of 24 available adjectives to describe their own styles. All occupational groups preferred a combination of analytical and integrative thinking. Engineers had the highest score for analytical thinking; District Rangers had the lowest. District Rangers had the highest preference for feeling-based, interpersonal thinking; engineers had the lowest. Research biologists and executives had low preference for detailed, sequential thinking. Research executives had less preference for interpersonal thinking than management executives. Implications for the agency are discussed.

Citation

Carey, Andrew B. 1997. Cognitive styles of Forest Service scientists and managers in the Pacific Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-414. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 21 p