Gregorc Style Delineator
Anthony Gregorc is the creator of the Mind Styles Model. The Mind Styles Model provides a depiction of how your mind works. The model helps you gain a better understanding of how you think and learn.
Gregorc focused his research on measuring how learners perceive and order new information. His model describes four cognitive styles for perceiving, processing, and ordering information. A style is the set of displayed behaviors that identifies an individual’s underlying mental strengths and abilities.
Gregorc Style Delineator (GSD)
In order to identify an individual thinking and learning style, Gregorc created the Gregorc Style Delineator (GSD). This test instrument is a tool used to identify and measure a person’s thinking and learning processes. It is designed to help individuals understand and recognize the ways which they most efficiently receive and process information.
About the Delineator
The Delineator is a self-scoring matrix of 40 descriptive words. This testing instrument contains ten items with 4 specific words (adjectives) in each item, hence the 40 questions.
The individual ranks the four adjectives in each item from 1-4 depending on which are most and least descriptive of him or her.
The ranked numbers are then added for each group of adjectives that represent a preference. The results are graphed to show the degree of dominance of whichever preference scored the highest.
Two Types of Preferences
Scoring the responses gives values for two continuums of preferences.
The two continuums are:
- Perceptual preference – how you prefer to grasp or perceive information
- Ordering preference – how you prefer to order information
Perceptual Preference
- abstract
- concrete
Ordering Preference
- sequential
- random
About Each Preference
Perceptual Preferences
Concrete perceptions
When you are using your concrete ability, you are registering information through your five senses. You are dealing with the obvious. You are not looking for hidden meanings, or making connections between ideas or concepts.
Abstract perceptions
This quality allows you to understand ideas, qualities, and concepts that cannot be seen. When you are using your abstract ability, you are using your intuition and your imagination. You are looking beyond what is seen to the hidden meanings and related concepts.
Ordering Preferences
Once you have acquired the information, you then process it mentally. You will have a preference as to how you order that information.
Sequential ordering
This preference involves the organization of information in a in a linear, step-by-step manner. When using your sequential ability, you are following a logical train of thought.
Random ordering
This preference involves the organization of information in chunks and in no specific order. When you are using your random ability, you are able to skip steps in a procedure and still produce the desired result.
Quadrant – Four Styles
The two intersecting continuums create quadrants. The quadrants are the four combinations of perceptual qualities and ordering abilities based on dominance.
By combining four types of preferences the following categories of styles are formed:
- Concrete Sequential (CS)
- Concrete Random (CR)
- Abstract Random (AR)
- Abstract Sequential (AS)
Four combinations
| Type | Preferences |
| Concrete Sequential | Order, logical sequence, following directions, predictability getting facts, and step-by-step instructions |
| Concrete Random
|
experimenting, taking risks, using their intuition, divergent thinking, and creative thinking |
| Abstract Sequential
|
structure, well-organized information, analyzing situations, and applying logic |
| Abstract Random
|
Using imagination, emotional connections, listening to others, bringing harmony, establishing healthy relationships, and thinking holistic |