Integrative complexity

Integrative Complexity is a research psychology measure that refers to the degree to which thinking and reasoning involve the recognition and integration of multiple perspectives and possibilities and their interrelated contingencies. [ [http://www.stanford.edu/group/diversity/coding.htm Integrative Complexity ] ]

Integrative Complexity is a measure of the intellectual style used by individuals or groups in processing information, problem solving, and decision making. Complexity looks at the structure of one's thoughts, while ignoring the contents. It is scorable from almost any verbal materials: books, articles, fiction, letters, speeches and speech transcripts, video and audio tapes, and interviews.

The measure of Integrative Complexity has two components: differentiation and integration. Differentiation refers to the perception of different dimensions when considering an issue. Integration refers to the recognition of cognitive connections among differentiated dimensions or perspectives. [ [http://www.psych.ubc.ca/~psuedfeld/CXY.html Suedfeld's Integrative Complexity Research ] ]

In a 1988 study it was demonstrated that changes in Integrative Complexity could be potentially used in international violence prediction. [ [http://jcr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/4/626 Changes in Integrative Complexity Prior to Surprise Attacks, J. of Conflict Resolution 32(4) by Suedfled and Bluck (1988)] .] These findings were seen again a 1995 article by Guttieri, Wallace, and Suedfeld looking at the Cuban Missile Crisis. [ [http://jcr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/39/4/595 The Integrative Complexity of American Decision Makers in The Cuban Missile Crisis, J. of Conflict Resolution 39(4)] .]

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