The predictive validity of the decision styles scale: An evaluation across task types

- The predictive validity of the decision style scale was evaluated.
- Data were collected across intuitive, rational, and quasi-rational tasks.
- Rational and intuitive decision styles were related to multiple task outcomes.
- Results support the scale's dimensionality, reliability, and predictive validity.

Research on decision making has been limited by the lack of consensus on how to effectively conceptualize and measure decision styles. The current study extends previous research by providing validation evidence for the Decision Styles Scale. The psychometric properties and predictive validity of the scale were evaluated across three independent samples and using three different task types (intuitive, rational, and quasi-rational). The results showed that the rational decision style was positively related to decision accuracy, creativity, decision speed, and the reliance on affectively-based information in decision making. Whereas the intuitive decision style was positively related to the reliance on affectively-based information and negatively related to depth of explanations. Both decision styles also interacted to predict decision speed and the reliance on affectively-based information such that, a high intuitive style decreased the positive effect of rational decision style on decision speed and a high rational style increased the positive effect of intuitive decision style on the reliance on affective information. The theoretical implications of these findings along with areas for future research are discussed.