شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This study aims to define post-formal thinking and its relationship to both creative thinking and personal traits among the students of Jordan University. In order to achieve the goal of this study, the following tools have been used: social paradigm belief inventory, Torrance test for creative thinking and neo five-factor inventory (NEO-FFI). The study was conducted on 350 students from Jordan University, Al-Zaytoona University, Al-Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan German University, who have registered for the second semester 2011-2012 for the B.A and higher studies programs. The students were chosen based on the purposive behaviorism method. The study found that students’ thinking was divided according to the following percentages: (30,22) absolute thinking, (45,41) relative thinking, (24,37) controversial thinking on the scale of post-formal thinking (social beliefs list) which means that relative thinking is the most prevalent type of thinking among the sample of the study. The study also revealed a connection at the significance level α (0,5) between the post-formal thinking and all types of creative thinking, and that the connection was at its strongest between relative thinking and creative thinking. Moreover, the study showed that there’s a connection at the significance level α (0,5) between the post-formal thinking and the extrovert and neurotic characteristics, as there was a positive connection between relative thinking and extroversion, while it was negative between relative thinking and neuroticism. The study went on to show that there wasn’t a connection at the significance level α (0,5) between the post-formal thinking and either creative thinking or the personal traits depending on the gender variable. (Author's abstract)