Research Article

Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students

Volume: 13 Number: 26 October 21, 2025
TR EN

Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between cognitive flexibility and critical thinking tendencies among 278 sports sciences students. Participants completed the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) and the Florida Critical Thinking Tendencies Scale. The results showed a positive and moderate correlation between cognitive flexibility and critical thinking. Additionally, gender significantly affected these skills, with female students displaying higher cognitive flexibility and critical thinking levels than males. However, no significant difference was found based on age. The study highlights that cognitive flexibility and critical thinking are interrelated cognitive skills and suggests the importance of fostering these abilities within sports sciences education. The findings are expected to inform the development of educational programs and interventions to enhance students' cognitive flexibility and critical thinking skills.

Keywords

Cognitive flexibility, critical thinking, sports sciences

Ethical Statement

Ethical Committee Permission Information Name of the board that carries out ethical assessment: Atatürk University Scientific Research Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences The date and number of the ethical assessment decision: 24.12.2024/E-70400699-000-2400423833

References

  1. Altunkol, F. (2011). Examining the relationship between cognitive flexibility and perceived stress levels of university students. (Unpublished Master's thesis). Çukurova University, Adana.
  2. Chen, Q., Yang, W., Li, W., Wei, D., Li, H., Lei, Q., & Qiu, J. (2014). Association of creative achievement with cognitive flexibility by a combined voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity study. Neuroimage, 102, 474-483.
  3. Chen, W., & Cone, T. (2003). Links between children’s use of critical thinking and an expert teacher’s teaching in creative dance. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 22(2), 169-185. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.22.2.169
  4. Cheng, P., Tallent, G., Bender, T. J., Tran, K. M., & Drake, C. L. (2017). Shift work and cognitive flexibility: decomposing task performance. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 32(2), 143-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748730417699309 Çuhadaroğlu, A. (2016). Predictors of cognitive flexibility. Cumhuriyet International Journal of Education, 2(1), 86-101.
  5. Dajani, D. R., & Uddin, L. Q. (2015). Demystifying cognitive flexibility: Implications for clinical and developmental neuroscience. Trends in Neurosciences, 38(9), 571-578.
  6. Davis, J. C., Marra, C. A., Najafzadeh, M., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2010). The independent contribution of executive functions to health related quality of life in older women. BMC Geriatrics, 10, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-10-16
  7. Demirtaş, Z., Takunyacı, M., & Yeşil, R. (2023). Examining the cognitive flexibility levels and critical thinking tendencies of religious education teacher candidates. Hitit Theology Journal, 22(2), 723-744. https://doi.org/10.14395/hid.1334350
  8. Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2010). The cognitive flexibility inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability and validity. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 34(3), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9276-4
  9. Engel de Abreu, P. M., Abreu, N., Nikaedo, C. C., Puglisi, M. L., Tourinho, C. J., Miranda, M. C., & Martin, R. (2014). Executive functioning and reading achievement in school: a study of Brazilian children assessed by their teachers as “poor readers”. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 550. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00550
  10. Ennis, R. H. (2018). Critical thinking across the curriculum: A vision. Topoi, 37, 165-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-016-9401-4
APA
Karababa, B. (2025). Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 13(26), 1066-1075. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1667605
AMA
1.Karababa B. Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students. JCER. 2025;13(26):1066-1075. doi:10.18009/jcer.1667605
Chicago
Karababa, Burak. 2025. “Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 13 (26): 1066-75. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1667605.
EndNote
Karababa B (October 1, 2025) Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students. Journal of Computer and Education Research 13 26 1066–1075.
IEEE
[1]B. Karababa, “Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students”, JCER, vol. 13, no. 26, pp. 1066–1075, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.18009/jcer.1667605.
ISNAD
Karababa, Burak. “Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 13/26 (October 1, 2025): 1066-1075. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1667605.
JAMA
1.Karababa B. Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students. JCER. 2025;13:1066–1075.
MLA
Karababa, Burak. “Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students”. Journal of Computer and Education Research, vol. 13, no. 26, Oct. 2025, pp. 1066-75, doi:10.18009/jcer.1667605.
Vancouver
1.Burak Karababa. Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking Tendency: A Study on Sports Sciences Faculty Students. JCER. 2025 Oct. 1;13(26):1066-75. doi:10.18009/jcer.1667605