The Impact of Cognitive Style on Communication

Abstract

The effectiveness of communication with staff is influenced by information processing preferences of both the originators and recipients of the communication. Understanding and accommodating these preferences can lead to communication that reduces misunderstanding and conflict.Cognitive style is a stable psychological trait that deterognitive style is a stable psychological trait that determines how individuals perceive and interpret their world and how they process information. Variations in cognitive style result in different responses to the same message. A message with the intent, for example, of providing direction for a specific procedure may be perceived by one staff member as concise and to-the-point, while another may perceive the message as too vague to be implemented. Yet another staff member may interpret the message as a personal criticism. These perceptual variations may lead to misunderstanding, conflict, and/or lack of follow through. Attending to variations in cognitive style when communicating with staff members can increase collaborative productivity.Although several models are available for describing cognitive style, Carl Jung's (1923) Psychological Types remains the basic reference point for a majority of currently available models. Jung's model presents four dimensions of cognitive

Determinants of building consistent human resources management systems

“…Rational managers present a lack of empathy which introduces complexity in the connection with other organizational groups; they also find that it is especially difficult to “sell” their ideas to the rest of the organization (Cools and Van den Broeck, 2008, p. 107). Moreover, they would be able to separate emotions and anxiety derived from certain situations of communication by keeping focused on the task they are developing (Nasca, 1994; Opt and Loffredo, 2000).…”