Decision Making Individual Differences Inventory - Rational-Experiential Inventory

Rational-Experiential Inventory - 40 item (REI-40 or REI-revised)

Pacini, R., & Epstein, S. (1999). The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles to personality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(6), 972-987. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.76.6.972

Note: The REI-59 is the original measure. The REI-40 or REI-10 are recommended over other versions. For adolescents, see the REI-A.

	Table of Contents
	Description
	History of Use
	References

Description:

Purpose		The REI-40 was designed to assess preferences for information processing. Theoretically motivated by Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST; Epstein, 1973), the various versions of the REI distinguish between 2 cognitive styles. A rational style, measured by an adapted Need for Cognition (NFC) scale (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982), emphasizes a conscious, analytical approach. An experiential style, measured by the Faith in Intuition (FI) scale, emphasizes a pre-conscious, affective, holistic approach. The REI-59 is the original measure. The REI-40 or REI-10 are recommended over other versions. For adolescents, see the REI-A.
Questions		40 items using 5-point ratings (1 = definitely not true of myself to 5 = definitely true of myself)
Sub-scales		4 sub-scales, 10 items each: Rationality Rational Ability (RA): "ability to think logically and analytically" Rational Engagement (RE): "reliance on and enjoyment of thinking in an analytical, logical manner" Experientiality Experiential Ability (EA): "ability with respect to one's intuitive impressions and feelings" Experiential Engagement (EE): "reliance on and enjoyment of feelings and intuitions in making decisions"
Domain
Psychometrics
Sample items		I have a logical mind. (RA) I enjoy intellectual challenges. (RE) I believe in trusting my hunches. (EA) I like to rely on my intuitive impressions. (EE)

History of Use:

References:

Scale:

CEST & REI References:

Epstein, S. (1973). The self-concept revisited or a theory of a theory. American Psychologist, 28(5), 404-416. doi: 10.1037/h0034679

Epstein, S., Pacini, R., Denes-Raj, V., & Heier, H. (1995). Individual differences in heuristic processing. Unpublished manuscript. University of Massachusetts.

Epstein, S., Pacini, R., Denes-Raj, V., & Heier, H. (1996). Individual differences in Intuitive-Experiential and Analytical-Rational Thinking Styles. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(2), 390-405. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.71.2.390

Norris, P., Pacini, R., & Epstein, S. (1998). The Rational-Experiential Inventory, short form. Unpublished inventory. University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Pacini, R., & Epstein, S. (1999). The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles to personality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(6), 972-987. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.76.6.972

Uses:

Bjorklund, F., & Backstrom, M. S. (2008). Individual differences in processing styles: Validity of the Rational-Experiential Inventory. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 49 (5), 439-446. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00652.x

Gunnell, J. J. and S. J. Ceci (2010). "When emotionality trumps reason: A study of individual processing style and juror bias." Behavioral Sciences & the Law 28(6): 850-877. doi: 10.1002/bsl.939

Marks, A. D. G., O'Neill, G., & Hine, D. W. (2008 ). Role of affect, expectancies and dual processes of cognition in predicting adult cigarette smoking. Australian Journal of Psychology 60(3), 160-167. doi: 10.1080/00049530701656273

Novak, T. P., & Hoffman, D. L. (2009). The fit of thinking style and situation: New measures of situation-specific experiential and rational cognition. Journal of Consumer Research, 36(1), 56-72. doi: 10.1086/596026

Witteman, C., van den Bercken, J., Claes, L., & Godoy, A. (2009). Assessing rational and intuitive thinking styles. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 25(1), 39-47. doi: 10.1027/1015-5759.25.1.39

Wong, K., Kwong, J., & Ng, C. (2008). When thinking rationally increases biases: The role of rational thinking style in escalation of commitment. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57(2), 246-271. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00309.x