The Effect of Information Processing Style and Mind Rumination on Exam Preparation: A Case Study

Getting ready for the exam has always been one of the major challenges for students and their families. This study was carried out to present a causal model of the relationships between information processing style, and mind rumination on the subject of preparation for exams, with emphasis on the mediating role of variables of mindfulness, academic disinterest and cognitive flexibility. The statistical population of this study consisted of ۳۶۱ students from educational district ۴, Shiraz, who were selected using random sampling. A self-report questionnaire consisting of academic procrastination subscales (Laura Solomon & Rothblum, ۱۹۸۴), mind rumination (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, ۱۹۹۱), information processing style (Epstein, ۱۹۹۴), Freyberger’s mindfulness (Harald J Freyberger, Spitzer, & Stieglitz, ۱۹۹۹) and cognitive flexibility (Dennis & Vander Wal, ۲۰۱۰) was used as data collection tool; the reliability of the scales was verified based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. This is a descriptive correlational study conducted using path analysis method. The results showed that information processing style and mind rumination indirectly affect the readiness for the exam via the variables of mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and academic disinterest. Some variables directly affect preparation for exams. Among the understudied variables having a direct effect, mindfulness had the most and academic disinterest had the least effect on preparation for the exam. Moreover, the effect of academic disinterest was direct and negative.

کلیدواژه ها:

Preparation for Exam ، Information Processing Style ، Mind Rumination ، Mindfulness ، Cognitive Flexibility ، Academic Disinterest