The Relationship between Components of Meta-cognition and Decision Making Styles among Managers at University of Isfahan and Medical Science University of Isfahan

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between meta recognition indices and decision making styles among administrators of University of Isfahan and Medical Science University of Isfahan.

Research Hypo thesis were written based on five meta recognition indices (uncontrollability and the risk of thoughts, positive beliefs about concern, recognition knowledge, recognition confidence, the need to control the thoughts) and five decision making styles (rational, intuitional, dependency, instantaneous, avoidance) and considering the demographic traits of statistical sample (gender, age, the years of tenure, university, position, the scientific rank, educational field). This study has been done through descriptive- correlative method. The statistical population included all administrators (presidium, deans of faculties, the chairpersons and the assistants of faculties) in University of Isfahan and Medical Science University of Isfahan during academic of 2012-2013 that were 180 people. The size of the sample using Kerji and Morgan table was determined 123 people and 118 questionnaires were retuned. Sample modeling was done through random classified method. The information was collected by meta recognition questionnaires (Wells, A., & Cartwright –Hatton,s, 1997) and decision making styles (Scatt &Brous, 1995). The questionnaires reliability was estimated through the Cron bach alpha coefficient respectively 0.74 and 0.76. Validity of questionnaires was verified by five specialists in management and psychology fields. For analyzing the date Pierson correlative coefficient, linear regression Intro Manova were used. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between managers’ meta recognition and decision making style (P<0.01). Also significant relationship was observed between meta recognition indices (uncontrollability, the risk of thoughts, positive beliefs about concern, recognition knowledge, recognition confidence, the need for thought control) and the managers’ decision making styles(rational, intuitional, dependency, instantaneous, avoidance) (p<0.01). Some meta recognition indices (negative beliefs  ,positive beliefs about worry, Cognitive self-consciousness ,cognitive confidence, beliefs  about need to control thoughts) had meaningful power of predicting for all types of decision making styles.(P<0.01). Considering meaningful relationship between meta recognition and, the managers’ decision making styles .there is a need for more research and intervention in this field in order to improve the quality higher education management.                                         

Keywords: decision making , meta-cognition, university administrators