GLOBAL PERPECTIVES INSTITUTE INC

GPI

Welcome

We have developed the Global Perspective Inventory (GPI) to measure a person’s global perspective, with an emphasis on the importance of cultural influences. We have developed the GPI with the idea that all persons –students, faculty, staff--- are on a journey of life, in which they keep asking three major questions: How do I know? Who am I? and How do I relate to others?

In our pluralistic society answering these questions of life now requires a global perspective. We no longer can think in terms of living in a world in which we can or should avoid learning, meeting, and living with others with very different cultural backgrounds, habits, perspectives, customs, religious beliefs, and aspirations. In short, we live in a global world, in which multiple perspectives about on knowing, sense of identity, and relationships with others are distinct and serve as powerful influences in our society.

“How do I know?” reflects the Cognitive dimension. Cognitive development is centered on one’s knowledge and understanding of what is true and important to know. It includes viewing knowledge and knowing with greater complexity and no longer relying on external authorities to have absolute truth.

“Who am I?” reflects the Intrapersonal dimension. Intrapersonal development focuses on one becoming more aware of and integrating one’s personal values and self-identity into one’s personhood.

“How do I relate to others?” reflects the Interpersonal dimension. Interpersonal development is centered on one’s willingness to interact with persons with different social norms and cultural backgrounds, acceptance of others, and being comfortable when relating to others.

The GPI is a survey of 46 items plus a few biographical items. It has been specifically designed to provide self-reports of students’ perspectives in three dimensions of global learning and development--cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. The Cognitive domain consists of two scales: Knowing and Knowledge. The Intrapersonal domain consists of two scales: Identity and Affect. The Interpersonal domain consists of two scales: Social interactions and Social responsibility.

The GPI can provide evidence of students’ global perspectives:
· At entry into college
· At end of first, second or third year
· At graduation from college
· At the beginning and conclusion of an “education/study abroad” experience
· At the beginning and conclusion of an active learning experience, e.g., internship, civic engagement project, service learning

You can learn more about the GPI by clicking on “Development” to read about the purpose and uses of GPI. If you want to see a sample institutional report, click on “Interpretative Guide and Institutional Report.” To read about the technical characteristics and development of the GPI, click on Manual.

You can take the GPI by going to www.gpinv.org/survey. When asked about your institutional affiliation, type in this code: 9900.

During the period of July 1,2008- June 30, 2009, an institution can have access to our online survey for $500, and can administer the GPI up to two different times. We do the analyses, produce the reports, and provide consultation (via telephone) on the results. If you wish to order the GPI, click on “Ordering the GPI.”

If you have any questions or comments, please write Larry Braskamp at lbraska@luc.edu.

Authors: Larry Braskamp, David Braskamp and Kelly Carter Merrill

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES INSTITUTE INC (GPI)