Assessing individual differences in adolescents' preference for rational and experiential cognition

Author(s)
Marks, Anthony
Hine, Donald William
Blore, Rebecca Louise
Phillips, Wendy J
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
This study assessed the factor structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of a new instrument, the rational–experiential inventory for adolescents (REI-A), a 20-item measure designed to assess individual differences in preference for rational and experiential cognition in adolescent populations. Data from 306 Australian high school students confirmed the two-factor structure of the existing adult REI (Pacini & Epstein, 1999). Both rational and experiential scales of the REI-A exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.80) and excellent five-week test–retest reliability (r > 0.90). Consistent with the tenets of cognitive experiential self theory (Epstein, 1994), higher rational scores were significantly associated with openness to experience, conscientiousness, open-minded thinking, superior reasoning, the absence of neuroticism and the lack of superstitious beliefs. Higher experiential scores were associated with increased emotional expressivity, superstitious beliefs and poorer reasoning. The REI-A provides a valuable tool to assess individual differences in adolescents’ preference for rational and experiential cognition.
Citation
Personality and Individual Differences, 44(1), p. 42-52
ISSN
1873-3549
0191-8869
Link
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Title
Assessing individual differences in adolescents' preference for rational and experiential cognition
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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