Innovative Tools to Assess Systems Thinking Ability
Abstract
Systems thinking ability (STA) is defined as a constellation of closely related abilities that enable individuals to (a) identify the elements of a system, (b) understand system relationships, (c) evaluate and revise system models, and (d) apply an integrated understanding of the system to a problem. Numerous jobs in the Army require Soldiers to work with or within systems. Given the pervasiveness of systems across Army jobs and requirements, the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is exploring means to identify personnel who have an aptitude for systems thinking would be a useful tool for selection and classification. Five key cognitive attributes were identified as conceptually relevant to STA: Hierarchical Working Memory Capacity, Spatial Ability, Cognitive Flexibility, Pattern Recognition, and Cognitive Complexity. Assessment approaches were developed for each of five cognitive attributes identified and data was collected using a sample of workers from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Preliminary construct validation results indicated support for most measures. Convergent and discriminant relationships were generally significant and in the expected direction, though of moderate magnitude.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1045468
Entities
People
- Alexander P. Wind
- Chelsey Raber
- Cory Adis
- Kristophor G. Canali
- Michelle Wisecarver