Cognitive/behavioral predictors of self-management effectiveness

Differences in self-management effectiveness may be due to both cognitive and behavioral factors. This study investigated the relationships among convergent and divergent thinking abilities, convergent and divergent behavior styles, left/right hemispheric dominance, and self-management effectiveness. It was hypothesized that effective self-managers are (1) more convergent in their thinking ability, (2) more convergent in their behavior style, and (3) more dominated by left hemisphere brain functions than less effective self-managers. Five paper and pencil inventories, including one developed by the author, were administered to graduate and undergraduate students to test these hypotheses.

The results indicated a positive relationship between several areas of self-management effectiveness and a convergent behavior style. A negative relationship was found between two areas of self-management and a divergent behavior style. Positive relationships were found also between a divergent style and right hemisphere dominance, and between a convergent behavior style and left hemisphere dominance. Expected negative relationships were found between convergent and divergent behavior styles, between left and right hemisphere dominance, between a divergent behavior style and left hemisphere dominance, and between a convergent behavior style and right hemisphere dominance. Surprisingly, a negative relationship was also found between left hemi sphere dominance and convergent thinking ability.

It was concluded that effective self-managers tend to behave more convergently and less divergently than less effective self-managers. No direct relationships were found between self-management effectiveness and any of the cognitive factors.