STYLE ANALYSIS SURVEY (SAS)

Rebecca Oxford (1993)
If you wish to use this survey, contact Rebecca Oxford at ro127@columbia.edu

NOTE TO USERS:  Survey results will not go to the person taking this test, but to the professor administering it. If you are not enrolled in her classes, do not take this survey!!!

Purpose: The SAS is designed to assess your general approach to learning and working. It does not predict your behavior in every instance, but it is a clear indication of your overall style preference.

Instructions:  For each item, click on the response that most closely represents your approach. Complete all items. There are five major activities representing five different aspects of your learning and working style. At the end you will submit your results to your teacher, who will give you a handout, so that you can interpret your results.

Timing: It generally takes about 30 minutes to complete the SAS. Do not spend too much time on any one item. Indicate your immediate response and move on to the next item.

For each item, click on your immediate response:

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Very Often, 3 = Always


Name and Class Prefix/ Number (e.g., RUS370, RUS201):

ACTIVITY 1: HOW I USE MY PHYSICAL SENSES TO STUDY OR WORK

1 I remember something better if I write it down. 0 1 2 3
2 I take lots of notes. 0 1 2 3
3 I can visualize pictures, number, or words in my head. 0 1 2 3
4 I prefer to learn with video or TV more than with other media. 0 1 2 3
5 I underline or highlight the important parts I read. 0 1 2 3
6 I use color-coding to help me as I learn or work. 0 1 2 3
7 I need written directions for tasks. 0 1 2 3
8 I get distracted by background noises. 0 1 2 3
9 I have to look at people to understand what they say. 0 1 2 3
10 I am more comfortable when the walls where I study or work have posters or pictures. 0 1 2 3
11 I remember things better if I discuss them out loud. 0 1 2 3
12 I prefer to learn by listening to a lecture or a tape, rather than by reading. 0 1 2 3
13 I need oral directions for tasks. 0 1 2 3
14 Background sounds help me think. 0 1 2 3
15 I like to listen to music when I work or study. 0 1 2 3
16 I can easily understand what people say even if I can't see them. 0 1 2 3
17 I remember better what people say than what they look like. 0 1 2 3
18 I easily remember jokes I hear. 0 1 2 3
19 I can identify people by their voices. 0 1 2 3
20 When I turn on the TV, I listen to the sound more than watching the screen. 0 1 2 3
21 I'd rather just start doing things rather than pay attention to directions. 0 1 2 3
22 I need frequent breaks when I work or study. 0 1 2 3
23 I move my lips when I read silently. 0 1 2 3
24 I avoid sitting at a desk when I don't have to. 0 1 2 3
25 I get nervous when I sit still too long. 0 1 2 3
26 I think better when I can move around. 0 1 2 3
27 Manipulating objects helps me to remember. 0 1 2 3
28 I enjoy building or making things. 0 1 2 3
29 I like a lot of physical activities. 0 1 2 3
30 I enjoy collecting cards, stamps, coins or other things. 0 1 2 3

ACTIVITY 2: HOW I DEAL WITH PEOPLE

1 I prefer to work or study with others. 0 1 2 3
2 I make new friends easily. 0 1 2 3
3 I like to be in groups of people. 0 1 2 3
4 It is easy for me to talk to strangers. 0 1 2 3
5 I keep up with personal news about other people. 0 1 2 3
6 I like to stay late at parties. 0 1 2 3
7 Interactions with new people give me energy. 0 1 2 3
8 I remember people's names easily. 0 1 2 3
9 I have many friends and acquaintances. 0 1 2 3
10 Wherever I go, I develop personal contacts. 0 1 2 3
11 I prefer to work alone or study alone. 0 1 2 3
12 I am rather shy. 0 1 2 3
13 I prefer individual hobbies and sports. 0 1 2 3
14 People view me as more detached than sociable. 0 1 2 3
15 In a large group, I tend to keep silent. 0 1 2 3
16 Gatherings with lots of people tend to stress me. 0 1 2 3
17 I get nervous when dealing with new people. 0 1 2 3
18 I avoid parties if I can. 0 1 2 3
19 Remembering names is difficult for me. 0 1 2 3
20 It is hard for most people to get to know me. 0 1 2 3

ACTIVITY 3: HOW I HANDLE POSSIBILITIES

1 I have a vivid imagination. 0 1 2 3
2 I like to think of lots of new ideas. 0 1 2 3
3 I can think of many different solutions of a problem. 0 1 2 3
4 I enjoy considering future events. 0 1 2 3
5 I like multiple possiblities and options. 0 1 2 3
6 Following a step-by-step procedure bores me. 0 1 2 3
7 I like to discover things rather than have everything explained. 0 1 2 3
8 I consider myself original. 0 1 2 3
9 I am an ingenious person. 0 1 2 3
10 It feels fine if the teacher or boss changes the plan. 0 1 2 3
11

I am proud of being practical.

0 1 2 3
12 I behave in a down-to-earth way. 0 1 2 3
13 I am attacted to sensible people. 0 1 2 3
14 I prefer realism to new, untested ideas. 0 1 2 3
15 I prefer things presented in a step-by-step way. 0 1 2 3
16 I want a clas or work session to follow a clear plan. 0 1 2 3
17 I like concrete facts, not speculation. 0 1 2 3
18 Finding hidden meanings is frustrating or irrelevant to me. 0 1 2 3
19 I prefer to avoid too many options. 0 1 2 3
20

I feel it is useless for me to think about the future.

0 1 2 3

ACTIVITY 4: HOW I APPROACH TASKS

1 I reach decisions quickly. 0 1 2 3
2 I am an organized person. 0 1 2 3
3 I make lists of things I need to do. 0 1 2 3
4 I consult my lists in order to get things done. 0 1 2 3
5 Messy, unorganized environments make me nervous.I get places on time. 0 1 2 3
6 I start tasks on time or early. 0 1 2 3
7 I get places on time. 0 1 2 3
8 Deadlines help me organize work. 0 1 2 3
9 I enjoy a sense of structure. 0 1 2 3
10 I follow through with what I have planned. 0 1 2 3
11 I am a spontaneous person. 0 1 2 3
12 I like to just let things happen, not plan them. 0 1 2 3
13 I feel uncomfortable with a lot of structure. 0 1 2 3
14 I put off decisions as long as I can. 0 1 2 3
15 I have a messy desk or room. 0 1 2 3
16

I believe deadlines are artificial or useless.

0 1 2 3
17 I keep an open mind about things. 0 1 2 3
18 I believe that enjoying myself is the most important thing. 0 1 2 3
19 Lists of tasks make me feel tired or upset. 0 1 2 3
20 I feel fine about changing my mind. 0 1 2 3

ACTIVITY 5: HOW I DEAL WITH IDEAS

1 I prefer simple answers rather than a lot of explanations. 0 1 2 3
2 Too many details tend to confuse me. 0 1 2 3
3 I ignore details that do not seem relevant. 0 1 2 3
4 It is easy for me to see the overall plan or big picture. 0 1 2 3
5 I can summarize information rather easily. 0 1 2 3
6 It is easy for me to paraphrase what other people say. 0 1 2 3
7 I see the main point very quickly. 0 1 2 3
8 I am satisfied with knowing the major ideas without the details. 0 1 2 3
9 I can pull together (synthesize) things easily. 0 1 2 3
10 When I make an outline, I write down only the key points. 0 1 2 3
11 I prefer detailed answers instead of short answers. 0 1 2 3
12 It is difficult for me to summarize detailed information. 0 1 2 3
13 I focus on specific facts or information. 0 1 2 3
14 I enjoy breaking general ideas down into smaller pieces. 0 1 2 3
15 I prefer looking for differences rather than similarities. 0 1 2 3
16

I use my logical analysis to solve problems.

0 1 2 3
17 I become nervous when only the main ideas are presented. 0 1 2 3
18 I focus on the details rather than the big picture. 0 1 2 3
19 My written outlines contain many details. 0 1 2 3
20 When I tell a story or explain something, it takes a long time. 0 1 2 3

 

Now that you have finished Activities 1-5, submit your answers.