Adaptors and innovators in Slovakia: cognitive style and social culture

This study presents data from a cross-national validation of the Kirton (1976) Adaption–Innovation Inventory (KAI) with a Slovak population sample. The results drawn from a large general population sample were very close to those of both the original British work and Italian studies (Prato Previde, 1984; 1991). The internal consistency was high for both the full scale (Cronbach's alpha=0·84) and the subscales (O=0·78; E=0·76; R=0·74). The internal structure of the inventory was also examined using factor analysis. The comparison of English, Italian, and Slovak norms supports the notion that cognitive style is deeply embedded in personality. The Slovak data provide further support for the hypothesis raised by Prato Previde (1991) that cognitive style is independent of culture. While social culture affected responses to some of the KAI items, the overall scale remained unaffected.