Theorist | Four Learning Styles | My Personality Style

They want handouts, something to take away and study.

Theorists adapt and integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories
They think problems through in a vertical, step-by-step logical way
They assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories
They tend to be perfectionists who won't rest easy until things are tidy and fit into a rational scheme
They like to analyze and synthesize
They are keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories, models, and systems thinking
Their philosophy prizes rationality and logic - "If it's logical, it's good"
They tend to be detached, analytical, and dedicated to rational objectivity rather than anything subjective or ambiguous
Their approach to problems is consistently logical
This is their "mental set," and they rigidly reject anything that doesn't fit with it
They prefer to maximize certainty and feel uncomfortable with subjective judgments, lateral thinking, and anything flippant.
They frequently ask questions like...

"Does it make sense?"
"How does this fit with that?"
"What are the basic assumptions?"

Theorists learn best from activities where:

What is being offered is part of a system, model, concept, theory
They have time to explore the associations and inter-relationships between ideas, events, and situations methodically.
They have the chance to question and probe the basic methodology, assumptions, or logic behind something, i.e., by taking part in a question and answer session by checking a paper for inconsistencies.
They are intellectually stretched, i.e., by analyzing a complex situation, being tested in a tutorial session, by teaching high-caliber people who ask searching questions.
They are in structured situations with a clear purpose.
They can listen to or read about ideas and concepts that emphasize rationality or logic and are well argued/elegant/watertight.
They can analyze and generalize the reasons for success or failure.
They are offered interesting ideas and concepts even though they are not immediately relevant.
They are required to understand and participate in complex situations.

Theorists learn least from and may react against activities where:

They are pitch-forked into doing something without a context or apparent purpose.
They have to participate in situations emphasizing emotions and feelings.
They are involved in unstructured activities where ambiguity and uncertainty are high, i.e., with open-ended problems, on sensitivity training.
They are asked to act or decide without a basis in policy, principle, or concept.
They are faced with a hotchpotch of alternative/contradictory techniques/methods without exploring any in-depth, i.e., as on a "once over lightly" course.
They find the subject matter trite, shallow, or gimmicky.
They feel out of tune with other participants, i.e., with many Activists or people of lower intellectual caliber.