|
Dissertation Abstracts (in alphabetical order)
Butler-Tindell, M. (1994). A study of relationships among
perceptual modality dominance and choice of college major (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 1994). Dissertation Abstracts
International, 56(04A), 1227A.
This study focused on the relationships among advanced students’
perceptual learning styles(s) and their college major. The Multi-Modal
Paired Associates Learning Test, Revised (MMPALT II) was used to assess
seven individual perceptual modalities: print, aural, interactive, visual,
haptic, kinesthetic and olfactory.
A total of 40 subjects participated in this study, 10 from each of
the following academic programs: Architecture, Engineering, Social Work,
and Human Performance and Sports Studies. All subjects had obtained
senior status and were expected to graduate shortly.
Deans and/or Department Heads representing each of the four majors
studied were interviewed and asked to predict the dominant perceptual
learning styles of students in their academic areas. These predictions
were used to answer the question, "Are the patterns of dominance
exhibited by seniors in a given major what we expect?"
This study results in the following findings:
- All seven perceptual styles identified by French did manifest themselves
in this selected adult university student population. However, olfactory
was not a dominant learning mode for any of the students tested.
- There were measurable variations in the perceptual learning styles
of this university student population.
- College seniors in a given major within this university population
did exhibit similar patterns of perceptual learning style dominance
as measured by the MMPALT II, but there were also differences in styles
among them.
- College administrators representing the academic majors studied were
sometimes, but not always able to correctly predict the dominant styles
of successful students in their programs. Implications for advising,
academic counseling and instruction are discussed.
|
