Evidence

Kathy Kolbe Has Discovered a Groundbreaking Truth

Just as the Earth isn’t flat, the brain isn’t only two dimensions. Ancient philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, knew there were three faculties of the mind: cognitive, affective and conative. The conative faculty is the part of the mind driven by instincts – the one and only truly predictive aspect of human behavior.

An individual’s instinctive methods of taking action are measurable and do not change over time. These results are not biased by gender, age or race.

Independent researchers, in study after study, have found that Kathy Kolbe’s theory works. She has created the only validated conative assessments to date. 

Dynamynd’s evidence-based applications of Kathy Kolbe’s Theory of Conation have helped schools, community organizations and thousands of students recognize their strengths and how to leverage them for success. ​

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Her Theory Classifies All Human Actions into Four Conative Action Modes®

Each Kolbe Action Mode is divided into three equally powerful Zones of Operation. Every person operates most effectively in a single zone in Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start and Implementor.

Fact Finder

how one gathers and shares information

Follow Thru

how one organizes and systematizes

Quick Start

how one deals with risk and uncertainty

Implementor

how one handles space and tangibles

Areas of Research

Evidence Articles

CONATIVE BIAS IN NEVADA MIDDLE SCHOOL

This study used the Student Aptitude™ Quiz and Kolbe Self-Efficacy™ Metric to assess conative bias in a Nevada middle school. Major trends were found in both self-efficacy and GPA based upon students' Student Aptitude Quiz results.

HIGH SCHOOL GPA BY CONATIVE STRENGTHS

This study aimed to determine patterns of academic performance at a Kansas high school based on conative strengths. Significant differences in GPA were found based upon students' Initiating modes.

STRIVING INSTINCTS AND CONATIVE STRENGTHS: ASSESSING THE TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE KOLBE A™ INDEX

Results for people who complete the Kolbe A™ Index again after more than 10 years have a high correlation of reliability. To our knowledge, no human factors assessment study has been published that spans more than ten years, until now.

TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY

92% - 97% of Kolbe A™ Index results remained consistent in each of four action modes (2 or less numeric value change) after being retaken 10 - 15 years later. This is a condensed version of the Striving Instincts and Conative Strengths Test-Retest Reliability study.

KOLBE CORP EEOC INFORMATION

“We can conclude that at the Alpha =.05 level, the Kolbe A™ Index is not biased by gender, age or race…” Dr. Robert T. Keim Decision Systems Research Center at Arizona State University.

KOLBE STATISTICAL HANDBOOK

As predicted, retention was higher for employees whose Kolbe A™ Index result matched their job role. In fact, turnover rates were more than doubled for employees who mismatched. Four Validity studies can be found starting on page 12 of the Statistical Handbook.

WISDOM OF THE AGES

This white paper outlines the historical and theoretical basis of the Kolbe Concept™. The study begins with the early work of notable theorists Plato and Aristotle and follows with Kathy Kolbe’s contribution to the theory that the mind has three distinct parts.

PROJECT GO AHEAD EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

65% of youngsters studied were reported as showing improved grades and behavior. Further studies have shown these improvements have been sustainable, lasting more than three years.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF CONATIVE MODUS OPERANDI (MO) WITHIN GROUPS

Research shows that students with the greatest difference from teachers’ conative MOs are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. The study included 554 students aged 8-16 in four US states.

COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM RETENTION

Undergraduate Computer Science students with the greatest need for a hands-on approach to learning were half as likely to reach upper level courses in their program. These students showed no significant difference in grades, failure rate or withdrawal rate compared to other students in the program.

KOLBE CAPABILITIES OF RESEARCH – CONATIVE STRESS AS A PREDICTOR OF HIGH ABSENTEEISM

This study compared the conative stress of employees with the highest and lowest absenteeism in an organization. Employees with conative stress were 2.5x as likely to be in the high absenteeism group.

KOLBE CAPABILITIES OF RESEARCH – CONATIVE STRESS AS A PREDICTOR OF RETENTION

In a study of conative stress, individuals who were expected to perform outside of their natural conative MO were significantly more likely to quit for job related reasons. Managers who received Kolbe training were able to cut the rate of turnover in half for mismatched employees.

JOB SATISFACTION AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

“If therapists become aware of their instinctive action modes, much time and stress could be saved. Reduction in turnover and other costs associated with the behavior of unsatisfied workers could be minimized.” Dr. Beth Joe Phillips professor of physical therapy, CSUN.

KOLBE CAPABILITIES OF RESEARCH – PREDICTING DEBILITATING STRESS

In a study of hundreds of CEOs spanning more than ten years, only one individual was unable to continue working for the company. This was the only CEO whose conative MO significantly mismatched supervisor requirements and self-expectations. All other CEOs were retained, promoted or reached retirement.