Defining and Assessing Problem‐Solving Style: Design and Development of a New Tool

Abstract

VIEW: An Assessment of Problem Solving Style (Selby, Treffinger, & Isaksen, 2002) is a new instrument for assessing problem‐solving style, for use with individuals from ages 12 through adult. It measures three dimensions of style relating to creative problem solving and change management. In this article, we discuss the construction of the instrument, the initial evidence supporting the instrument's reliability and validity, and a very brief overview of the instrument's foundations. Our reliability data involve both stability and internal consistency. We report evidence for the criterion‐related validity, based on correlational studies with relevant measures of learning style, cognitive style, and psychological type. We also conducted principal components factor analyses that support our three‐factor structure. Researchers and practitioners studying and applying Creative Problem Solving and change management methods can use VIEW in several ways. Finally, we identify several research directions that will contribute to the refinement and development of the instrument as well as to a better understanding of the “problem‐solving style” construct.

Problem Solving Style and Coping Strategies: Effects of Perceived Stress

“…Finally, there were more women than men (78 vs. 29) in the study, but this result is characteristic of the community college population and many higher education institutions today. The significant gender differences found in this study are not consistent with prior VIEW results (Selby et al, 2004) and suggest that more research is needed to understand these differences.…”

“…This outcome is supported by VIEW research which shows that among the more than 20,000 VIEW takers since its development, the scores of Orientation to Change, Manner of Processing, and Ways of Deciding are not significantly correlated (Selby et al, 2004). The internal consistency estimates for the three VIEW scores for this study also were similar to those reported in the VIEW literature.…”

“…On Manner of Processing and Ways of Deciding, participants' means were much closer to the hypothetical midpoint score of 32. The slight Developer preference is well below the half standard deviation (9 points) described in the VIEW literature as indicating a marked preference in style (Selby et al, 2004).…”

“…Researchers into style make what is termed the "level-style" distinction; that is, the focus is on the manner by which a person approaches and works on a problem, not simply how well a person solves a problem Selby, Treffinger, Isaksen, & Lauer, 2004;Sternberg, 2000;Treffinger, Isaksen, & Dorval, 2006). Selby, Treffinger, Isaksen and Crumel (2007) describe six problem solving styles.…”

Understanding individual problem-solving style: A key to learning and applying creative problem solving

“…Our problem-solving style model (Selby, Treffinger, Isaksen & Lauer, 2004;Treffinger, Selby, Isaksen, & Crumel, 2007) and the accompanying assessment instrument (Selby, Treffinger, & Isaksen, 2007a,b) involve three independent dimensions, which are: Orientation to Change (OC), with two general styles: the Explorer and the Developer; Manner of Processing (MP), with two styles: External and Internal; and, Ways of Deciding (WD), in which we define two styles: Person-focused and Taskfocused. Each dimension influences directly the ways people perceive problems and information, process data, generate possible solutions, make choices and decisions, and prepare to implement solutions.…”