An examination of the relationship between hemispheric dominance and learning styles as described by Keirseyian temperament types

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible relationship of learning styles, as defined by Keirseyian temperaments, and brain dominance. The study focused on three questions; (1) Does a relationship exist between learning styles, as determined through Keirseyian tempera ment types, and brain dominance; (2) Tentatively positing a left-right continuum for brain dominance (left, inte grated, right), can a parallel temperament continuum of the four temperaments be suggested (left, near left, near right, right), which would map onto the brain dominance continuum; and (3) Can such association and mapping be observed in adult learners at the technical institute level of education?

Two standardized testing instruments were employed: the MBTI and the HIPS. Two primary measures were ob tained: brain dominance using the HIPS, and MBTI prefer ences using the MBTI. From the MBTI preferences, Jungian types and Keirseyian temperaments were derived. Learning style was determined, based upon Keirseyian temperament. Two independent variables, brain dominance and temperament (learning style), were derived from these instruments for statistical analysis.

The study led to the following conclusions:

1. There was a definite relationship between brain dominance and learning style as delineated by Keirseyian temperament. This- was based upon a significant chi square of 28.677 with a probability of 0.05 and 9 degrees of freedom and a contingency coefficient of 0.386.

2. There was partial support for the notion of a temperament/learning style continuum which paralleled and mapped onto the brain dominance continuum. This was evidenced by the large frequency distribution of the SJ tem perament with left brain dominance, and by the large frequency distribution of the NF temperament and SP temperament with right brain dominance. This was also supported by the results of one way analysis of variance. The SJ temperament tended on the average to score far higher than the NF temperament in the left percentile of brain dominance. Conversely, the NF temperament tended on the average to score far higher than the SJ temperament on the right percentile of brain dominance. The evidence is far from conclusive.