| Abstract: | The study dealt with the particular contents subjects apply in a cognitive task. The hypotheses were that the frequency of specific contents would be related to the subject's information processing tendencies assessed in terms of the meaning system (Kreitler and Kreitler), that each content variable would be related to a pattern of meaning variables and that in some cases these patterns would resemble in structural features those related to personality traits, particularly cognitive traits. The subjects, 50 undergraduates of both genders, were administered in separate sessions a standard meaning questionnaire, assessing tendencies to use the meaning variables, and 10 planning tasks, coded in terms of eight conceptually-based variables (categories of contents, e.g., emotional, quantitative) and five factorially-based variables (defined on the basis of a factor-analysis of all responses, e.g., concern for aesthetics and external appearance, formal administrative arrangements). The findings showed that each content variable was related to a particular pattern of meaning variables providing insight into its cognitive dynamics. Six conceptually-based variables were related to patterns similar to those related to traits, not only cognitive. Discussion focuses on implications for the study of contents and of traits. |
